1. Online Eviction Portal
- Mandatory Use: Landlords are required to use an official online portal to file eviction notices. This ensures a standardized, transparent process that can be tracked and prevents any errors or abuses in the eviction procedure.
- Specific Grounds for Eviction: Evictions can only be initiated for specific legal reasons, such as non-payment of rent, lease violations (e.g., property damage, illegal activities), or when the landlord needs the property for personal use (e.g., moving in or conducting repairs). This helps protect tenants from arbitrary or unfair evictions.
2. Tenant’s Right to Dispute
- 30-Day Dispute Period: Tenants are given 30 days to dispute an eviction notice. During this period, tenants can challenge the eviction if they believe it is unjust, incorrect, or based on invalid grounds. The dispute process can involve negotiations with the landlord, legal assistance, or even court intervention if necessary.
- Fair Opportunity for Resolution: The 30-day window ensures tenants have a reasonable chance to resolve issues, whether that’s through fixing lease violations, paying overdue rent, or addressing any other concerns the landlord might have.
3. 12-Month Minimum Stay for New Tenants
- Stability for Both Parties: When a new tenant signs a lease, they must commit to staying for at least 12 months. This requirement prevents landlords from frequently changing tenants and provides tenants with a sense of security, knowing they won’t be forced to leave on short notice without valid reasons.
- Reducing Turnover: The rule encourages longer-term tenancies, which benefits landlords by reducing vacancy rates and the costs associated with finding new tenants, while also offering tenants more stability in their living situation.
4. Identification and Condition Report
- ID Verification: Landlords are required to collect valid identification from tenants (such as a government-issued ID) before entering into a rental agreement. This ensures that both the landlord and tenant are properly identified, protecting both parties from fraud or identity issues.
- Condition Report: A detailed condition report must be completed at the start of the tenancy, outlining the property’s condition, including any existing damage or wear and tear. Both the landlord and tenant sign the report to agree on the state of the property at move-in.
- Purpose: The condition report is critical for resolving disputes about property damage when the tenant moves out. It helps ensure that tenants are not unfairly charged for damage that existed before they moved in or for normal wear and tear.
5. Benefits of These Rules
- For Landlords: These regulations help landlords manage properties in a fair and transparent way. The online portal streamlines the eviction process, while the condition report protects them from unfair claims about property damage. The 12-month lease requirement also reduces turnover costs.
- For Tenants: These rules give tenants a chance to dispute evictions, ensuring they aren’t unfairly removed without cause. The 30-day dispute period offers time to resolve issues, and the requirement for clear documentation of property condition helps prevent unjust claims for damages. The 12-month lease gives tenants more stability and security.
In summary, these regulations aim to strike a fair balance between the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, promoting stability, fairness, and transparency in the rental market. The measures help prevent unjust evictions, ensure tenants are treated fairly during the tenancy, and provide landlords with tools to manage their properties effectively.
