The Maldives already has a law protecting tenants. It has barely been used.
The Residential Tenancy Act came into force in November 2021. It caps security deposits at two months’ rent, requires deposits back within 15 days, blocks mid-lease rent hikes, and sets an MVR50,000 fine for landlords who evict for “own use” and then re-let. Enforcement was handed to island and city councils, which must decide complaints within seven days.
Malé City Council was never consulted while the law was drafted. No budget, staff or administrative structure came with it. Saif Fathih was a councillor at the time, and says the concerns his council raised with the housing ministry went nowhere.
The MDP passed that law. After 4 April it holds 46 of 52 city council seats. Fathih argues it no longer has anywhere to put the blame. https://maldivesindependent.com/by-saif-fathih/the-mdp-wrote-the-tenancy-act-it-now-runs-the-councils-meant-to-enforce-it-8283
Column By Saif Fathih
Saif Fathih is a columnist at the Maldives Independent and a former member of the Malé City Council for Galolhu North. With his educational background in communications, international studies and public policy, he previously worked as a journalist, editor and public policy advisor, with roles including senior policy director at the ministry of national planning and editor of Ocean Weekly Magazine. Saif began his career as a radio producer and presenter at Minivan Radio, writer for Minivan Daily, and translator for the British High Commission and the European Union Mission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He is also the host of Ithuru Vaahaka, the Maldives Independent podcast.
