DOI:
AUTHOR(S)
Nashsakh Bin Rahman, S. M. Hayat Mahmud, Shilajit Kumar Roy
ABSTRACT
The Premises Rent Control Act, 1991 aims to regulate rental affairs and safeguard the rights of both landlords and tenants in urban areas. This study examines the effectiveness and implementation of the Act within the Khulna Metropolitan Area. Although the Act has been in place for a long time, the findings indicate that it is not enforced in most cases. The study uses a descriptive socio-legal design with mixed methods. It describes relevant legal frameworks to form the baseline against which compliance is later assessed through surveys with 60 respondents. The descriptive analysis of survey data reveals significant gaps in compliance, with widespread violations of key provisions. These include not issuing rental agreements and rent receipts, not following standard rent limits, receiving more than one month’s advance rent, etc. Additionally, disputes between tenants and landlords are rarely resolved through the formal methods outlined in the Act. This paper further analyzes the broader legal framework governing rental affairs in Bangladesh and offers practical recommendations. These include enhancing public awareness, enforcing compliance, introducing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes, establishing a dedicated monitoring body, conducting regular legislative reviews, and bringing timely amendments to address evolving challenges in the rental housing sector.
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