WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s rental legislation should be modernized to give tenants greater protection against excessive rent increases and make rental prices more closely reflect objective characteristics of a property, according to Fundashon pa Konsumidó.
The consumer foundation has asked the government and Curaçao Parliament to review existing rental legislation and the rules governing the Rent Commission as concerns grow about affordability in the local housing market.
According to Fundashon pa Konsumidó, consumers are increasingly complaining about rental prices and conditions, while many residents are struggling to find housing they can afford.
The foundation says asking rents are increasingly being determined by developments in the free market without sufficient consideration for the financial capacity of local tenants or clear and objective standards.
It wants the government to investigate whether rental prices could be determined partly on the basis of factors such as the quality, location and size of a home rather than leaving prices almost entirely to market forces.
Fundashon pa Konsumidó is also calling for stronger safeguards against excessive rent increases, particularly for tenants who risk losing their homes because they can no longer afford rising monthly payments.
At the same time, the foundation believes Curaçao needs to increase the availability and construction of affordable rental and owner-occupied homes for local residents. It says particular attention should be given to young people, first-time buyers, families and households with limited incomes.
The organization argues that reforming rental legislation should form part of a broader housing strategy rather than being treated as an isolated measure.
Fundashon pa Konsumidó said government, Parliament and other stakeholders must recognize that Curaçao’s housing challenge is no longer simply about whether enough houses exist. Affordability and the ability of residents to remain in their homes have become increasingly important.
The foundation is calling for cooperation among policymakers, civil society organizations and residents to develop measures that keep housing accessible while providing greater security and transparency for tenants.