Bill to parliament mandating 2-month notice before eviction

A sunset bill was submitted to parliament on Wednesday, mandating landlords to issue at least two months of notice before evicting tenants amidst the financial crisis caused due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill titled "Public Health Emergency Bill 2020" was submitted by the Parliament Representative of Fuvahmulah Central Constituency MP Hussain Mohamed Didi on behalf of the state.

According to the bill, notice must be given to tenants renting out residences even without an agreement. The bill also requires a certain procedure to be followed when evicting renters.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits landlords from cutting off utility services to the tenants or disrupting their privacy in the period between issuing the notice and the eviction.

A fine of MVR 5000 will be imposed on landlords who violate the aforementioned rules.

Moreover, reports can be filed at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development against landlords who violate the requirements in the bill, which also states that the ministry should draft a guideline on investigating these complaints.

The bill mandates the state to provide temporary housing for the homeless, aid individuals stranded without food and water and set up temporary rehabilitation services for addicts.

It also mandates employers to provide special leave for staff placed under quarantine, unable to attend work due to travel restrictions, and undergoing treatment for COVID-19.

Moreover, employers should provide the opportunity for staff members terminated due to the financial repercussions of the pandemic to submit their case at the Employment Tribunal.

As per the bill, employers are not allowed to terminate staff, send them on no-pay leave, or slash salaries unless the company's profit falls so drastically that it is impossible to pay the employees' standard salaries.

The bill also proposed to postpone implementing any decisions on matters involving collateral and the collection of Withholding Tax and Interim Payments under the Income Tax Act within the crisis period.

MP Hussain Mohamed Didi stated that the purpose of the bill is to provide assistance to families facing difficulties due to the ongoing pandemic, in addition to securing housing for homeless individuals during these trying times.