Rental Reality Check

Tenant Rights During Eviction: What You Need to Know Ever gotten that dreaded knock at the door—the one that makes your stomach drop? An eviction notice isn’t just paper; it feels like your whole world is at stake. But here’s what most people don’t realize: tenant rights during eviction exist to protect you. The problem? […]

Leaving your rental in Jamaica should feel like a fresh start, but too often, tenants worry about one thing: that security deposit. Will the landlord return it, or will it disappear under “repairs” and unexpected deductions? It’s a real fear—many Jamaicans have stories of chasing money for months, unsure of their rights. The good news

“You need to decide TODAY. I have three other people interested.” “I only accept cash – no checks, no bank transfers.” “Don’t worry about a lease agreement, we can do this on trust.” If you’ve heard phrases like these while apartment hunting in Jamaica, your gut was probably telling you something was wrong. Your gut

The rent is affordable. The location is perfect. There’s just one catch: you’ll be sharing the kitchen and bathroom with people you’ve never met before. If you’re nodding your head right now, you’re part of Jamaica’s reality – where rising housing costs mean many renters end up in shared living situations out of necessity, not

Here’s everything you need to know about how the Rent Board in Jamaica can help both tenants and landlords resolve rental disputes.

Your landlord has keys to your apartment. Does that mean they can use them whenever they want? Absolutely not. Once you pay rent and sign that lease, Jamaica’s Rent Restriction Act gives you the legal right to “peaceably and quietly occupy and enjoy the premises without any interruption.” Yet too often, tenants message me asking:

If you’re searching for a house or apartment to rent in Jamaica, you’ve probably asked yourself this question: “Can I actually afford rent here?” You’re not alone.

You get a message from a landlord or realtor asking for your payslip, bank statements, and job letter. Your first thought? “Is this even legal?”

Do you know what repairs you and your landlord are responsible for as a Jamaican tenant?

Your landlord just dropped the news: rent’s going up next month. Your first thought? “Then that legal?”

The short answer is: it depends. But as a Jamaican renter, you have more protection than you might think – if you know what to look for.