Amendments proposed to the Utility Regularity Act approved by parliament members, allows for electricity and water bills to be billed to the tenant of a rented apartment instead of the owner.
The bill was submitted to the parliament on behalf of the government by parliament representative for the Kelaa constituency, Ibrahim Shareef. He submitted the bill with the aim of resolving the difficulties faced in paying the bills due to the difference in the duration of the bill for those seeking water and electricity services.
The amendment also states that the rights of the owner and tenant should be protected, that a policy should be formulated to set a minimum period for payment of the bill, as well as formulating policies that will ease making payments.
They state that even if meters must be registered in the name of the owner of the building, if the another person receives the service, their name should be registered as well. According to the newly passed amendments, a policy has to be formulated to ensure that this can be done.
The Parliament's Environment and Climate Change Committee, which reviewed the bill, met with utility service companies and other relevant authorities during the review process.
Some members of the committee noted that a large number of people live on rent in Male', and occasionally move apartments without paying the bills for the rented apartment. Additionally, as the meters for rented apartments are also in the owner's name, it is difficult for tenants to get subsidies on these payments. Committee members noted these problems will become resolved with this amendment.
The bill was passed with the support of 57 MPs who took part in the vote.
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