The steps the government is taking to enforce stricter private sector and investment laws should be praised. For example, the laws on issuing bad checks have been made more stringent so that anyone who writes a bad check will think twice before doing so or else be subject to imprisonment and fines. In general, all laws should be enforced effectively, especially the ones regulating the housing sector. Some landlords face difficulty in making tenants pay rent on time. Investors and landlords should be able to get the rent money easily. The same applies to tenants who should also be able to get their complete rights according to clear laws and regulations. I do not know why and I cannot understand how a landlord can make his own lease agreement and incorporate whatever articles he wishes in it. I think the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Housing should take on this responsibility and draft residential and commercial lease agreements. Clear articles protecting the rights of landlords and tenants need to be included. This important step will reduce the pressure on courts and save them a lot of time. Any dispute arising between a landlord and a tenant can be resolved easily before it gets to a court of law as long as the lease agreement contains clear articles. If laws and obligations are protected, investors will be willing to make more investments in the housing and business sectors. As I mentioned above, the laws relating to bad checks result in the severe punishment of individuals who issue bad checks. That is why the number of bad checks has dramatically decreased in the last few years. I believe we need stringent laws for contractors who fail to implement projects on time. Our laws must be enforced more effectively to reduce the time it takes to process lengthy legal proceedings and procedures. I hope that the authorities impose a charge on landlords for each agreement they sign with a tenant. The money can be allocated to the unit in charge of monitoring and supervising lease agreements. Of course, I am talking about token charges that will be set aside for running these units. The aim of the charges is to make landlords fully aware of the obligations and rights stipulated in leases. I understand the opposition some people might have to the word “charges”. However, token charges are important for regulating residential lease agreements.
