Rent laws must be respected, ministry says

The Ministry for Social Policy said it has been informed that since the publication of the White Paper on rent reform a number of landlords are refusing to accept rent from tenants.

The ministry was also informed that landlords are telling tenants that "they are awaiting developments".

The ministry has insisted that the laws regulating the rental market are those now in place and both landlords and tenants have to continue to abide by such legislation.

The White Paper is a document for public consultation and, thus, has no effect at law.

Tenants' rights as set by the legislation now in place are valid and are protected by law, the ministry said.