Renting in The Gambia is not an easy experience, as Landlords don’t act patiently with their tenants despite terrible housing services offered by most of them.
Aminata Joof, a primary school teacher said, renting is actually not an easy experience, because even if your rental fee is just D500, it’s only you who knows how you get that money in order to settle your bills. So there is nothing sweet about renting. But it all depends on the kind of landlord you are dealing

She added that her landlord is very understanding and accommodating. He doesn’t disturb them at all, in fact, anytime he comes to collect his money, and his husband tells him that they don’t have the money yet, he always understands them. And his apartment is spacious enough and quite conducive with proper ventilations, it also has a kitchen, washrooms, and a store. 

“The only problem we face here is scarcity of water, we always struggle to get water, because we even woke up last night and couldn’t get water, and life itself is entirely dependent on water, and as Muslims, we definitely can’t live comfortably without water, since we always need it for cleansing and purifying ourselves. Other than that, everything else here is alright, we live here harmoniously and in peaceful coexistence. And most of the inhabitants of this settlement are religious people and very peaceful, Alhamdulillah.” She stated.

“The apartment is very nice, well structured and well furnished with two rooms and a parlor, the rental fee is actually D2000, which is quite reasonable, because it’s even much more expensive in other places than that of here, and our landlord is very understanding and patient, because anytime we promise to make our rental payments at a particular time later than the actual time, he will always agree to it. And we are definitely enjoying our stay here in this compound, because we are very much united with good neighbourliness, and everyone here is very peaceful, loving and caring, and we wish for that to continue.” She continued.

Fatima Darboe, a local business woman also expressed her worries and sadness over the high increments of house rental fees by landlords, and the challenges she and her husband are facing.

“We face a lot of challenges here. Three rooms and a parlor costs D3500. On the 5th of every month, the landlord comes to collect the payment, and if the tenant happens to be in a financial constraint, most of them do not even care whether you have the money or not. You either pay immediately or they will give you a warning notice. For some, they usually will give you just 3 days for you to pay, so for an extended family, it will really be so difficult. Imagine your children are going to school, you need to buy cash power, you also need to give out fish money, and the water bill you need to pay.“

She lamented that the only breadwinner in the family is her husband and he caters for all of these bills, and it is really crazy sometimes.

Mrs Darboe said landlords should be patient because not everyone can always readily afford to pay just immediately at the end of the month. And for most of them, the living conditions of their apartments are just terrible. During the rainy season, they usually struggle when it comes to flooding. And when the rain comes during the night they can’t sleep, because they find it insecure for them to be sleeping in that building while it is raining, it’s only the kids who sleep and the elders will monitor the house in case of any eventualities.

“Two rooms and a parlor costs D3000. And the house will not even be conducive for you and your family, just that you are hopeless and your helplessness will force you to just move in regardless. Three rooms and a parlor is D3500, for some, there will even be no electricity or water, so it is really difficult.” Said Mrs Camara.

However, an anonymous source said, “Let the Government help some families with land, the ministry of land should make that their number one priority. And also the rent tribunal court should sit with landlords and tenants to enlighten them on what to do and what not to. Let the landlords know that where their rights end, that is where someone’s rights begin. Let the government have a law where they will tabulate the price of renting accordingly throughout the country. “

“Two rooms and a parlor for D3000 is really expensive, and their buildings are usually so terrible, there will be no water or electricity and for some, both will be absent, so they should look into that as well. And let them create well paid jobs, so as to in fact reduce these rental services and make it easy for its citizens to be able to secure their own homes where they will reside happily and comfortably with their families.” He said.

 

By Fatimah Sonko