Court states Dhidhdhoo Hotaa to be vacated in 15 days

The Civil Court has ordered the owner of the famous cafe', Dhidhdhoo Hotaa, in Hulhumale' to be vacated in 15 days and given back to the owner of the building.

Dhidhdhoo Hotaa is located at the ground floor of Goodwill, Nirolhu Magu, and had its lease agreement expire on 31st December 2023. However, cafe' owners have said that the duration of the lease was extended for an additional three years via a verbal agreement.

A case was submitted to the court where it stated the determination be made that the owners request to vacate the premises before the agreement expires is against it, and if the premises are to be vacated before the expiration, compensation be given for the investment toward operating the cafe'.

As per the owners of the plot however, Dhidhdhoo Hotaa is being operated without their permission. And with the agreement having expired and the premises not being vacated, permission was only given for the cafe' to operate until February 2025.

The plot owners stated that along with the premises not being vacated after the most recent agreement and with the three-month notice not being observed, the owners have also not been receiving rent.

During the trial, the owners of the cafe' said that the three-year verbal agreement was made by the husband of the plot owner. Nevertheless, the sentence that was given yesterday regarding the case states that there is no evidence to prove that the husband was given the power to conduct such a transaction.

As per the sentence, as the husband had no power to extend the lease agreement, it cannot be proven that there was an agreement where the lease agreement was extended.

And so, it was determined that the cafe' owners had no right to use the premises against the wishes of the building owner, with it to be handed over to the plot owner within 15 days.

Along with that, the court also determined that cafe' investments and compensation for losses cannot be given.