A three-day workshop which began at the Magistrate’s court on Wednesday, August 15th, ended last Friday, August 17th. The special workshop for prospective Rent Commissioners, organized by the Judicial Department under the direction of Senior Magistrate, Ms. Ivenia Benjamin, was designed to provide training for some 12 persons in the area of landlord/tenant relations and the scope of responsibilities and duties of Rent Commissioners.
Looking back at the opening ceremony on the morning of August 15th, the Hon. Minister Curtis Richardson, who has responsibility for Housing, applauded the noble efforts of the Senior Magistrate Benjamin for her performance during her current tenure in Anguilla.
The Minister noted: “I am extremely proud of Senior Magistrate Ivenia Benjamin, and her staff, for the initiative they took for furthering the cause of harmonious living between landlords and tenants. The record will show that since the Magistrate’s coming to Anguilla, there has been a positive difference in our judicial system through her leadership qualities. I applaud her and her team for revisiting antiquated laws and regulations, for invigorating life into those that were standing idly on the books, and for rejuvenating those that were constituted but were never functional.”
Now that the workshop sessions have ended, certificates were issued to course participants after undergoing some 18 hours of intense but jovial in-class training facilitated by a charismatic Mr. Yohann Henry, Consultant/Facilitator, who is a long standing member of the Rent Commission of Dominica.
The course took the participating prospective commissioners on field trips whereby they were able to gain hands-on experience in measuring the dimensions of select residential properties for rent, while assessing all of the amenities and necessities that a property must possess in order for it to be livable and rent-worthy.
Upon returning to the “classroom setting” at the courthouse, the Facilitator then provided the prospective commissioners with applicable formulas that would enable them to calculate fair rental fees. He also demonstrated the procedures that must be followed should a landlord request or desire the rent to be raised, and by what principles and margins such a raise should be granted or denied. Two mock court cases also formed part of the relevant teachings. These provided hands-on practice with respect to pertinent scenarios from which the participants learned.
At the Friday afternoon closing ceremony, Deputy Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley, commended Ms. Benjamin for her initiative in reviving the Act through the establishment of Rent Commissioners. He remarked: “It is commendable on the part of the Senior Magistrate, Ms Benjamin, for actually taking charge and leading this program. I wish to congratulate all of you for completing this course. Issues concerning landlords and tenants can be quite contentious at times, and it is important that we understand the rules and the regulations that deal with such issues and govern the landlord/tenant relationship.”
The Social Security Board willingly partnered with the Judicial Department through providing the necessary sponsorship. On hand for the closing ceremony was Dr. Maglan Richardson, Social Security’s Deputy Director.
Dr. Richardson commented: “Congratulations to all of you for undertaking this three-day workshop. Your presence here at this hour, on a Friday afternoon, shows how interesting and important this workshop has been to you. When I entered the room, I was truly impressed with the caliber of organization and presentation. I must commend Ms. Benjamin for her vision. When the request for funding an initiative of this sort came to Social Security — because we are keenly aware of the need for having proper regulations between landlord and tenants — we did not hesitate to approve the request and provide the required funding. Congratulations once again”
Mr. Michael Fleming was an avid participant of the workshop. He was chosen to give his views from a learner’s stand-point. He noted: “I must begin by saying that the success of this court lies in having a Magistrate like Ivenia here. Her successes, as I see it, are hinged to her close relationship with God. And I would like to first of all commend her for her faith.
“In speaking with many of my participating colleagues, we have all come to the same conclusion regarding this Rent Commissioners exercise. The general consensus is that the course is new, but long overdue, and it is really necessary to bridge the gaps that exist between landlord and tenant. Some of us here who are landlords have expressed how beneficial a course like this has been. Overall, we found the sessions quite educational and informative and we agree that our facilitator, Mr. Henry, should return shortly just to concretize what we have learnt in these worthwhile sessions.”
Mrs. Patricia Beard was another workshop participant who was asked to share her views on the sessions. She remarked: “I am so happy that Ms. Benjamin took on the task to organize these profitable sessions for us. It shows that she is not just focused on her job in a narrow way, but she is looking at her work on a much broader spectrum, helping us to improve ourselves through our knowledge. To me, these three days’ sessions were awesome. We have learned many things. As a landlady, I thought I had it all in place, but now I can look at renting from a more practical and professional point of view. We benefited much from the practical aspect of the course. And since we are now equipped, we would want to sit together periodically and share with each other, in order to advance and enhance the skills that we have been taught.”
Ms. Benjamin expressed her thanks and appreciation for the commendations accorded her. She expressed great admiration for the team who generally supports her work. She thanked all the participants for consistently making themselves available for the entire three days. In addition, she thanked Mr. Yohann Henry for his services as Facilitator and presented him with a special goodwill gift.
Ms. Benjamin’s final words at the close of the workshop were: “One of the things I would like to impress upon participants is that you should have nothing to fear in being a Rent Commissioner. You are not to be looked upon as agents of the government who interfere with landlord’s income, or government’s agents for delving in landlords’ taxes.
“As you have learned from your Facilitator, the rental of properties is a business, and, as such, it must be approached in a very business-like manner. Landlords or tenants should not be afraid of you, as Rent Commissioners. Not at all. The role of Rent Commissioners is simply to take in hand cases of the landlords or tenants who have been aggrieved, hear their grievances and settle those grievances in the interest of both parties.”
The official Vote of thanks was presented by Mr. James Harrigan, another course participant.
The appointment of Rent Commissioners is a rather new development for this jurisdiction, since any dispute between a landlord and a tenant is usually addressed in regular court settings. However, the regular court environ does not provide the necessary tools for addressing housing matters.
The Rent Restriction Act, though, as well as the Rent Recovery Act, do provide the means of redressing to disputes between landlord and tenants through the intervening work of Rent Commissioners. It is these Acts that the new Rent Commissioners will uphold when dealing with future landlord/tenant cases.
