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House Okays Rent Control Bill
RESAR on May 08 2009 | Filed under: News
Read in the May 7, 2009 Philipine Star (House okays rent control bill) that a bill seeking to extend the Rent Control Law (which expired last December 31, 2008) was passed in the House of Representatives last Tuesday evening (May 5, 2009).
The Senate version (authored by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri) puts a 10% cap on rental increases for three years. The House version, on the other hand, pushes for a one-year moratorium (4% annual increase cap for the succeeding three years).
The House’s Rent Control Bill will seek to extend the coverage to include boarding houses, dormitories, and bed spaces.
Coverage of the new Rent Control Bill:
- Residential units
- Monthly rental of P10,000 in Metro Manila and highly urbanized cities
- Monthly rental of P5,000 in all other cities and towns
After the proposed rent control law expires in four years (2013?), the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) will be authorized to regulate rent.
Lessors can demand advance rent of one month (maximum), and deposit of two months (maximum).
Lessees will NOT be allowed to assign or sublease the rented premises.
Under the new Rent Control Bill, if the lessee subleases the leased premises, or if they are in arrears for three months, the lessor may petition the court to eject the lessees.
The same recourse is available if the lessor’s immediate family members need to use the property.
Congress first imposed rent control in 1999, which was renewed in 2002 and 2005, and which expired in December 2008. Hence, the new rent control bill.
