BVI News

Gov’t to introduce fair tenancy laws — Premier

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley

The government will soon be introducing tenancy legislation to mitigate against unscrupulous landlords, among other things. 

This indication was given by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, who promised that the new legislation is expected to be pushed forward by the incoming Trade Commission before it is moved to the House of Assembly. 

With the expected influx of passengers coming from direct flights between the BVI and Miami in the US come next summer, Premier Wheatley was asked what steps were being taken to prevent current residents from being priced out of rental accommodations. 

“They (the Trade Commission) have a number of policies and a number of pieces of legislation, which will be on the way and one of the pieces of legislation that we’ll be developing in the short term has to do with Fair Tenancy Act. Of course, it’ll be a big debate and a big discussion, but we can’t be afraid of the tough topics here in the Virgin Islands,” Premier Wheatley said.

He continued: “A lot of times we avoid the tough conversations because we don’t want any fallout from a political standpoint, but I always believe in engaging in the issues. And you have to trust the process.”

He argued that people need to trust the process of engaging with stakeholders such as landlords, those who rent accommodations, and others in the community so that a solution that is best for all involved can be derived.

Gov’t responsible for creating affordable housing

He further noted that the government has a responsibility for helping to create affordable housing for individuals that ‘will not become like slums or will not become run-down’.

“We have to tackle affordable housing. We know some efforts were made in terms of the Joe’s Hill project [through the] Social Security, but we know that that’s also gonna be quite expensive for persons who are seeking to live in those accommodations,” the Premier added.

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29 Comments

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  1. Ooohhhh boiiii says:

    The last paragraph in this news report is coming from our Leader

    We have to tackle affordable housing

    We made efforts through SS

    But we know it. EXPENSIVE for who seek to live there

    Affordable. Efforts. Expensive.

    So in other words. The ball was dropped AGAIN

    When will these guys get IT right ??

    Like 21
    Dislike 1
  2. I agree, Introduce more laws! says:

    Hope you introduce laws to stop those stores that sell construction supplies from charging so much. Hope you introduce laws to stop SOME contractors from ripping off the property owners. Hope you introduce laws to stop the insurance companies from bleeding the property owners. Hope you introduce laws to regulate the high interest rates that some banks charge property owners to payback on loans. Hope you enforce laws to prevent noise nuisances that devaluate people property MANY YEARS AFTER they have invested in a quiet location. Hope you introduce laws to help pay back these loans when they go delinquent.

    Start with the above first Mr. Premier.

    Like 74
    Dislike 5
  3. Reality Check says:

    Just make the minimum wage $15.00 an hour and the issue is gone with none of this legislation BS. No elected official is going to tell a voter what they can charge in rent, same as none of them would support zoning legislation.
    Pay a living wage and the market will regularize.

    Like 12
    Dislike 20
  4. WOW says:

    MORE OLD TALK AGAIN

    Like 10
  5. Sigh says:

    It is sad when our cheapest one-bedroom apartments are over $1200. That is madness.

    Like 31
    Dislike 13
  6. What I heard was... says:

    I don’t know what the h**l I’m talking about but maybe if I keep talking, it will make sense to you.

    Like 11
  7. Rubber Duck says:

    Be careful. Make it too difficult or force rents down too much and private landlords will disappear and their properties with them. That has happened in other places where similar legislation has been tried

    Like 15
    Dislike 8
  8. UKM says:

    @ubber Duck And how will they pay the bank?

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  9. PT09 says:

    Election time is near these people will say anything we are hearing it everyday for the last six weeks. Even the kids knows what’s going on. A little boy and chilling out and talking about things, the little girl asked the little boy:Do all fairy tales begin with once upon a time? the little boy said no, many of them begin with if I elected I promist……

    Like 21
    Dislike 1
  10. Licher and Sticher Good says:

    He doesn’t have the balls to stand up to USVI about our waters, do you think he will stand up to landlords who are likely his frequents and family? …

    Like 10
    Dislike 3
  11. No clue says:

    That man has NO CLUE. I guess he goes by what he dream up the night before. Landlords have expenses too. What the government going to do, offer subsidies? While you at it, can you write up a law that says that any Premier who do not know how to cut the bush in the place or fix the roads have to be deemed as ‘unfit’ for the job. Tks

  12. lol says:

    control price = reduce supply.

  13. Fairness says:

    If rental is going to scrutinised as such, remember that Landlords have insurance and bank to pay. All things must work hand in hand.

  14. Hmmm says:

    Had to take straight flights to BVI for us to finally get some protection. Well suh. Nonetheless we are grateful.

  15. START GOVERNMENT RENTAL APPARTMENTS says:

    with affordable prices , then you will see how Quickly things change , and the government will have a steady income , the scales needs balancing ,too much sharks out here

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  16. The watchman says:

    Wish I could click like, at least 100 times.

  17. island and island says:

    FIX THE road big holes , bush on the side a roads, street water going the the guts, sewerage that going in the guts and the incinerator need fix now from burning killing people. PS HOW MUCH THE GOVERMENT IN RANT$$$$$$$$$$$

  18. Won't happen says:

    Who are the landlords ? The big island names in the HOA.

  19. Bulldog says:

    why don’t he regulate the businesses who prices are still going higher every time you go to buy something.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  20. Greedy says:

    A set of gready landlords. T…. All ..so raises his rent every year and doesn’t maintain his yard or apartments. Just too damn greedy.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  21. Bulldog says:

    Try everything to make it difficult for those trying to supplement income. Start with food!

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  22. Real talk says:

    @bulldog. I know right. A piece of 2 x 4 gone up 200%. Is he going to subsidize building and insurance costs that have gone through the ceiling and into the CLOUDS.

  23. @Greedy says:

    What greedy Landlords what about the Greedy Banks and Insurance who have their hands in the landlord’s throats?

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  24. @I agree. Introduce more laws. says:

    I was jist going say something but you said it well. Let him go right ahead with his tenancy law. Let that Premie keep him b– minded head in the sand. Afterr who them struggle and build them little house. Listeeen go right ahead . create you laws one termer.

  25. oh please says:

    Does this guy even own a house?

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  26. Accountant says:

    You cant blame the landlords for pricing their apartment. The very govt has built jouses from social security money and is about selling them out at a profit. Some of the natural resource ministers sold land that wasnt theirs. The speech here is based on filght from miami again..like the smooth road.
    Sk. Bay Lot has a smooth piece of city like road..well marked ouy. And a long stre room like set of offices all beinv rrnted to Treasury and other government departments.

  27. Anonymous says:

    Is time for a raise in emplyoees pay. This is nonsense. Everything going up but the pay. You all know how ppl are struggling. Living on a low income. My gosh. This world is so ungodly!,

  28. Me says:

    Before he pass that stupidness he heed to figute out y rent so high how home insurance double in the last couple years wat he need to do is change nhi to national bome insurance buy a billion dollar policy from a overseas company and run nageco out the bvi rent will come down

  29. Jah bless says:

    Correct they only thinking about them selves. If they don’t do something about this high price rent sooner or later their apartments will be left standing. And then they will know how the bank will be paid

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