<!-- wp:image {"id":9229} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/House-Rental-Buzz-Caribbean-1024x614.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9229" /></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Director
of the Rent Assessment Board, Shenese Headlam, is encouraging landlords and
tenants to exercise diligence when negotiating rental arrangements. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":9230} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Shenese-Headlam-Buzz-Caribbean-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-9230" /></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“Tenants and landlords should… ensure that a written agreement is [drafted] because sometimes things that were not initially agreed on are brought into play. Both persons should understand what the contract is saying and a formal agreement made before the tenancy starts,” Headlam said.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Mrs.
Headlam noted that it is quite common for persons urgently seeking to enter
into rental arrangements to overlook the importance of investigating the
potential options that are available. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>She
recounted an incident where a client who was robbed at his rental home later
discovered that the previous tenant had a similar experience at the same premises.
</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:quote -->
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"Both persons should understand what the contract is saying and a formal agreement made before the tenancy starts”</p><cite>— Shenese Headlam, Director of the Rent Assessment Board</cite></blockquote>
<!-- /wp:quote -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Meanwhile,
Mrs. Headlam said arrangements for the rent payment cycle should also be agreed
on by both parties, “because under the Rent Restriction Act, landlords are not
obligated to provide a grace period for [payments]”.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“Tenants
should also find out if the landlord is registered with the Rent Assessment
Board, because the 1983 Rent Act stipulates that all landlords should be
registered,” she emphasised.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Landlords
not registered are deemed in breach of the law, and risk being convicted by a
parish court judge and fined. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The
Rent Assessment Board facilitates both landlords and tenants. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:quote -->
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"Landlords are not obligated to provide a grace period for [payments]” </p><cite> — Shenese Headlam, Director of the Rent Assessment Board </cite></blockquote>
<!-- /wp:quote -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>When it
receives a complaint from a landlord or a tenant, no action is taken until both
parties have been consulted. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The
Board’s Tribunal, which has similar powers to that of a Parish (Resident Magistrate’s)
Court, adjudicates over issues pertaining to arrears and refund of rent, and
illegal increases, and conducts hearings bimonthly </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->