Commission wants to revamp landlord, tenant laws

The Commonwealth’s outdated landlord and tenant laws are set for an overhaul.

The new legislation—put together by stakeholders in Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ Commission on Economic Opportunity over the last several months—comes in line with concerns birthed from the recent property takeovers and displaced tenants by a rampant rise in new development and the onslaught of Typhoon Soudelor last year, and will be introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan).

“A few months ago, I met with several individuals who were displaced because the apartment units they were renting were sold by the landlord,” Demapan told Saipan Tribune. “The absence of laws that govern contractual relationships between a landlord and tenant caused unnecessary hardship to the affected tenants.”

“The intent of the draft legislation to ensure that we have a statute that will provide a more acceptable and balanced protection for both landlords and tenants,” he said.

The draft legislation, copies of which were obtained by Saipan Tribune, is a 56-page document that largely clarifies the obligations that landlords and tenants have to each other in their leases.

One proposed provision, among others on “tenant duties,” says tenants may not engage in or permit an immediate family member or guest to engage in any criminal activity. The statute, if enacted, could provide grounds for landlords who catch tenants using ice, or crystal methamphetamine, to evict them pursuant to law, Saipan Tribune learned.

Another proposed provision, among many others, creates avenues for a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault, who fears further harm if they continued to live in their residence, to be released from their lease.

Demapan told Saipan Tribune that over the years, the Commonwealth has seen increased development—and with that—comes increased demand for residential dwellings for rent or lease.

“After reviewing our statutes, we found that P.L. 10-67 was not just outdated, rather, it lacked the necessary protections and safeguards for tenants,” Demapan said. “The legislation we are working on now will provide a more efficient and effective framework for both landlords and tenants.

“The lack of any statutes has created an uncertain rental market in the Commonwealth, while negatively affecting the economy,” Torres said in a statement last week.

Torres said the new legislation addresses the “ambiguous” obligations for landlords and tenants and “cerates a comprehensive statutory structure to protect” their interests.