SANTO DOMINGO- ACOPROVI, the Association of Housing Builders and Developers, highlighted yesterday the need for the Dominican Republic to have a rental law that responds to the current reality and offers guarantees and legal security to the parties.
“It can become a tool for developing a real estate market for these purposes and provide the possibility of access to decent housing for more Dominicans,” the entity stated yesterday, while participating in the public hearings held in the Chamber of Deputies.
Several representatives went to the National Congress yesterday to give their opinion on the bill on real estate rentals and evictions, approved in the first reading by the lower house.
For her part, Reyna Echenique, representative of the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies (AEI), argued that the proposed modifications should include a review of the aspect of paying rent in foreign currency.
According to his opinion, the exchange rate that should prevail must necessarily be that of the Central Bank.
Annerys Meléndez, president of ACOPROVI, said that as an association, “we raised several points and submitted our observations, which were duly filed, so we trust they will be taken into account.”
She added that the association will be closely monitoring the progress of the legislation, which it hopes will be approved to strengthen the sector's regulatory framework.
ACOPROVI reiterated the need to approve the legislation, arguing that rentals have been "regulated" by regulations that are more than 60 years old.
Several representations
Twenty sectors attended the public hearings held yesterday, Tuesday, at the National Assembly to gather opinions on the draft law on rentals and evictions.
The bill is still being debated in order to achieve regulations that both landlords and tenants can agree on.
Pedro José Álvarez, who identified himself as a “statistician” by profession, stated that currently 32.8 percent of Dominicans “live in rented accommodation,” which in his opinion represents about three million people.
He added that due to the current conflicts between the two parties, the State should intervene and, therefore, create a commission or body in charge of rentals, a proposal that was seconded by other participants.
