Taken from Diario Libre
SANTO DOMINGO- The Minister of Housing and Buildings, Carlos Bonilla, went to the Chamber of Deputies yesterday, Tuesday, to deliver a new proposed amendment to the draft Law on Rental of Real Estate and Evictions that is being studied in the National Congress.
In his proposals, Bonilla stated that the project should include "more ease" in removing tenants who do not pay rent from their homes.
According to the official, the rental market has not developed properly in the Dominican Republic because it is still "very difficult" to evict tenants who do not pay.
He reiterated that there are no large rental projects in the country due to obstacles, difficulties, and a lack of regulations for evicting residents.
In that regard, he stressed that if there are more apartments for rent, the right to housing would be guaranteed and, in addition, it would contribute to reducing the cost of rents and to investment in the real estate sector.
He rules out "transitional housing" and submits a new proposal
Before entering the meeting with the commission, Bonilla denied that he had submitted a proposal to provide temporary housing to those who can demonstrate that they cannot pay rent, despite the fact that the team of congressmen was given some observations submitted by the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (MIVHED).
In fact, the committee department of the Chamber of Deputies also received the proposal, although the minister stated that he did not know "where that came from.".
The official attended the committee meeting to deliver a new proposal based on more rights for property owners and thus facilitate real estate investment.
In that order, the president of the special commission, Eugenio Cedeño, specified that both the proposals put forward by MIVHED and the bill itself, seek to "balance" the rights of homeowners and tenants to avoid conflicts.
"We want to provide a law that guarantees the rights of all," Cedeño stressed, suggesting that the commission will continue listening to other sectors interested in the issue.
At the same meeting, the committee chair reminded attendees that the Chamber of Deputies will hold public hearings to analyze all opinions regarding the rental bill. The consultation will take place next Tuesday, June 27.
