Are you a tenant or a landlord?
Have you ever encountered problems with a rental agreement?
Do you know that you can be protected from these problems
in the future? What would happen if a landlord decided
to suddenly increase a tenant’s rent or a tenant
violated the terms of his/her tenancy?
Do not wait to find out!
As a landlord or a tenant you can register with the
Rent Assessment Board, which falls under the Ministry
of Legal Affairs.
What is the Rent Assessment Board?
The Rent Assessment Board is a body of persons appointed
by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
in accordance with the provisions of the Rent Restriction
Act, Chapter 59:50.
The Chairman and two (2) other members sit at any time
to adjudicate on matters coming before it.
Where is the Rent Assessment Board located?
There are four Rent Assessment Boards in Trinidad
and Tobago:
• Port of Spain - Head Office
110 Henry Street, P.O.S.
625-2670
• San Fernando
11 Independence Avenue San Fernando
657-2005
To hear and determine applications whether by landlords
or tenants for a review of rent in respect of tenancies
of dwelling houses coming under the Rent Restriction
(Dwelling Houses) Act, 1981 as amended by the Rent
Restriction (Re-enactment and Validation) Act 1991
or in respect of land coming under the Land Tenants
(Security of Tenure) Act 1981 as amended by the Land
Tenants (Security of Tenure Amendment) Act 1983.
Anyone of the parties concerned with the matter
is entitled to be represented by an Attorney -at-
Law.
The Board hears evidence under oath from both
parties either of whom may cross-examine the other.
Having heard the evidence, the Board visits
the dwelling houses or the land in question before
making a decision in the matter.
To register new Landlords and Tenants in accordance
with the Rent Restriction Act 45 of 1981.
To keep separate registers of Landlords and Tenants
who are registered with the Board.
These are open to the public and may be examined
on payment of a fee of one dollar.
What does the Rent Restriction Act govern?
The Rent Restriction (Dwelling Houses Act 45
of 1981)
Act applies to all dwelling houses which were let,
whether payable monthly or not, not exceeding ONE
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000) per month, in the
case of an unfurnished letting or ONE THOUSAND
FIVE HUNDRED ($1,500) per month in the case
of a furnished letting as at 31st December 1978, or
where on that date the house was not the subject of
letting at the commencement of the first letting after
that date.
Every tenant and every landlord of a dwelling house,
whether or not the dwelling- house is one to which this
Act applies, shall register with the Rent Assessment
Board within three (3) months of the commencement of
this Act or of the tenancy, whichever is the later.
It should be noted that the tenant must re-register
every time he/she rents another apartment. The landlord
registers only once.
What are the benefits of registering with the Rent
Assessment Board?
Tenant - The tenant may apply
to the Board to have his/her rent reviewed on the
grounds that the rent is too high.
Landlord - The landlord may apply
to the Board to review his rent on the grounds that
the rent is unreasonably too low.
The Board provides Notes of Evidence upon demand
with regard to its Court Matters (See Schedule of
Stamp Fees)
What is the cost of accessing the services of the
Rent Assessment Board?
SEARCH OF REGISTRATION
- $1.00
SUMMONS DWELLING & COMMERCIAL
- $2.00
LAND (ONE & TWO COPIES)
- $5.00 per Tenant
EXTRA COPY
- $1.00
CERTIFICATE
- $5.00 Standard plus
- $1.00 per page .50c per side