DNCC Issues New Rent Guidelines: No Increase for Two Years, Tenants Must Get Roof and Gate Keys
The Chronify
Dhaka North City Corporation has issued detailed guidelines to enforce the Rent Control Act, 1991, protecting both tenants and landlords. The rules bar rent hikes for two years and mandate full access to rooftops and main gates for tenants.
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has published a comprehensive guideline to implement the Rent Control Act, 1991, aiming to safeguard tenants’ rights while ensuring fair practices for landlords. The guideline was officially released on Tuesday (January 20).
DNCC announced the guidelines at a press conference held at Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan, where DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz outlined key provisions related to rent regulation, housing standards and tenant safety.
According to the guidelines, landlords must keep rental houses fit for living by ensuring uninterrupted utility services, regular waste collection and other essential facilities. Both landlords and tenants are required to maintain greenery on rooftops, balconies and open spaces. For safety reasons—considering fire, earthquake and other risks—landlords must provide tenants with 100% access keys to the roof and main gate.
Tenants are required to pay rent by the 10th of every month. Landlords must issue a written and signed rent receipt each month. Tenants will retain the right of access at all times, and any security or disciplinary measures taken by landlords must be communicated in advance and implemented only with tenant consent through mutual discussion.
The guideline strictly states that rent cannot be increased under any circumstances for the first two years from implementation. After two years, rent adjustments may only be made through bilateral negotiations, and annual rent increases must not exceed 15 percent of the prevailing market value in the area. Rent increases may only take place during June–July.
Landlords are prohibited from collecting more than one to three months’ rent as advance. In case of delayed rent payment, landlords must first issue a verbal warning. If non-payment continues, a written notice giving two months’ time may be served before eviction or contract cancellation. For residential buildings, either party may terminate the rental agreement with two months’ notice.
The guidelines also mandate written rental agreements clearly specifying rent amount, increase conditions, advance deposits and vacation terms. DNCC further instructed the formation of ward-based landlord and tenant associations to help resolve disputes locally. If issues remain unresolved, complaints may be escalated to the city corporation’s regional executive officer.
DNCC said awareness campaigns and zone-based consultation meetings will be held to ensure proper implementation of the guidelines and address future disputes.
DNCC announced the guidelines at a press conference held at Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan, where DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz outlined key provisions related to rent regulation, housing standards and tenant safety.
According to the guidelines, landlords must keep rental houses fit for living by ensuring uninterrupted utility services, regular waste collection and other essential facilities. Both landlords and tenants are required to maintain greenery on rooftops, balconies and open spaces. For safety reasons—considering fire, earthquake and other risks—landlords must provide tenants with 100% access keys to the roof and main gate.
Tenants are required to pay rent by the 10th of every month. Landlords must issue a written and signed rent receipt each month. Tenants will retain the right of access at all times, and any security or disciplinary measures taken by landlords must be communicated in advance and implemented only with tenant consent through mutual discussion.
The guideline strictly states that rent cannot be increased under any circumstances for the first two years from implementation. After two years, rent adjustments may only be made through bilateral negotiations, and annual rent increases must not exceed 15 percent of the prevailing market value in the area. Rent increases may only take place during June–July.
Landlords are prohibited from collecting more than one to three months’ rent as advance. In case of delayed rent payment, landlords must first issue a verbal warning. If non-payment continues, a written notice giving two months’ time may be served before eviction or contract cancellation. For residential buildings, either party may terminate the rental agreement with two months’ notice.
The guidelines also mandate written rental agreements clearly specifying rent amount, increase conditions, advance deposits and vacation terms. DNCC further instructed the formation of ward-based landlord and tenant associations to help resolve disputes locally. If issues remain unresolved, complaints may be escalated to the city corporation’s regional executive officer.
DNCC said awareness campaigns and zone-based consultation meetings will be held to ensure proper implementation of the guidelines and address future disputes.
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