FDM Unveils Plan To Assist Housing Sector
The Free Democratic Movement has released a document providing information on their plans to ‘revitalize Bermuda’s housing sector.’
A spokesperson said, “Finding a decent place to live on our beautiful Island has become a daunting challenge. High prices and limited rental options mean that securing a home is out of reach for many Bermudians. At the heart of the issue is outdated legislation, particularly the Rent Increases [Domestic Premises] Control Act 1978. Although once well-intentioned, the act now creates barriers.
“Many landlords, feeling that their property rights are compromised, avoid the long-term rental market altogether—leaving properties empty, converting them to short-term rentals, or upgrading them beyond affordable levels. In some cases, these restrictions have even led to discriminatory practices among landlords. The scarcity created by these policies only increases competition, leaving fewer options for Bermudians seeking stable housing.
“Our plan will phase out outdated rent controls and introduce a fair, modern Landlord and Tenant Act, drawing inspiration from best practices in England’s Consumer Rights Act of 2015. This new act will protect both tenants through clear balanced agreements while giving landlords the confidence to return to the rental market.
“Here’s Our Timeline for Change:
Immediate Actions [0-1 years]:
- Revise tenant and landlord legislation to phase out restrictive rent controls and establish best practices for fair agreements and tenant protections.
- Adjust zoning to allow commercial, industrial, and institutional zones to be converted for residential use, expanding housing availability.
- Offer long-term leases for government properties in disrepair, adding homes without taxpayer expense.
- Reduce duty on construction materials to lower development costs and support swift housing expansion.
Short to Medium-Term Goals [1-3 Years]:
- Implement a self-managed, streamlined approval framework with necessary checks and balances, allowing certified developers to proceed with reduced oversight.
- Initiate consultations to update and consolidate construction and development laws.
- Waive property taxes for affordable rentals and strengthen rental assistance programs with dedicated funding.
- Introduce rent-to-own options for tenants with stable histories in government-managed properties.
- Develop a comprehensive housing registry to provide data on housing availability, enabling informed decisions and identifying new development opportunities.
Long-Term Goals [4-6 Years]:
- Expand homeownership opportunities through the sale or tendering of select government-owned properties.
- Implement further tax reductions based on housing market conditions to promote affordability.
- Establish an annual review process with public consultations and regular reporting on key housing metrics to ensure policies adapt to Bermuda’s evolving needs, fostering transparency, trust, and community involvement.
Our goal is straightforward:
“To bring more rental properties back onto the market and provide Bermudians with the housing options they deserve. This plan aims to increase supply, bring stability to our communities, and take a critical step forward for Bermuda’s future.”
The full Free Democratic Movement’s Housing Policy follows below [PDF here]:
Someone answer this, with all of these people pulling up stakes and moving to England, and many other places, what is happening to all of the places that they have vacated?
Also, a drive around the island will show all kinds of places unoccupied, shutters closed as if ready for a hurricane, some yards maintained, others are not,
Lots of empty houses. Why? Yet the Government wants to build more. How much sense does that make?
Unoccupied homes do not automatically fall into the government’s remit. There are also homes that are in dispute. Additionally, homeowners aren’t legally required to rent out units. There are many different reasons. And in some cases, landlords have had their units trashed and are now gun shy about renting.
Trewer words were never spoken.
Surely you don’t have to ask why, could be electioneering.
Some Renters had questionable uses they just do not care.
Renters low deposits do not cover cost of repairs of hit and run.
Many Land lords would sooner leave their rent units vacant.
The best rent net return would be 50 % of gross after land tax insurance , repairs, bank interest ,agency fees. government did not support the landlords why should they
Some landlords would rent through BHC with assurance tha the BHC would restore the unit as initial found all at taxpayer expense
Every thing is rosie if you stick your head in the sand.
Agree with that Watching ,especially trying to get a delinquent tenant out that has trashed the place , stopped paying rent and in some cases protected and allowed to remain . That is a big part of all the empty apartments here as well as some of the high rents.
Most Bermudians of all races would rather have a guest worker in their apt knowing their rent is more secure . Sad for all the Bermudians that are genuine and pay their bills before they take 2 shopping trips yearly and also sad for the ones that are trying but have fell on hard times .
“Lots of empty houses. Why? Yet the Government wants to build more. How much sense does that make?”
The Bermuda Government does not own most of the empty houses. Most empty houses are owned by individuals. And if those individuals want to leave the home to fall down that is their right.
The Bermuda Government is not allowed to seize property from individuals and reallocate it. Fixing derelict homes to be habitable again requires the consent or the owners. And as others have said, some owners do not want tenants.
BACK OF TOWN.
There exist Lovated bavck of town known as the ” Home Improvement Area ” acording to the BHC .
( Saw a vacant one on Parsons road yesterday )
That proper appeared to be in dire need of repair XXX who missed that one. XXX ? was that where angel fear to tread.
Regardless , people to day are fussy where they live “no mans land “is not always aceptable. Safer living in a tent .
Can we all or not see that life is like giant piramid reaching to top becomes an endless expense eventually ends in a nightmare .
Many vacant deralic houses have all seen better days , termites have take up residence making the roof unsafe and 99 other problem ,there by costing more, than starting over on that land to restore for present day uses, is being realistic making those buildings an ideal candidate for the wrecking ball.
XXX We do no wash clothes any more using a scrub board XXX
The land is our gold mine or oil well ………. SO PLANT IT .
We have been told over an over again to start feeding our selves .
Who knows what the future may bring
” Don’t rent me somthing that you would not rent your self “.
This is a clasic example where the BHC can take control of a building / house / property but not to keep it, but fix it up, insure it, and rent it to cover costs until the rightfull owner comes along and produce the title deeds , which is doubtful .
There are ocasions that the last man standing as benificiary has faded awa..
Many would burn the mortgage deed title party along with all the other title deeds and squat the property claiming to be family.
The big problem in this island not many will not put pen to paper but spin the top so thoughts and oppinion will change with in the incoming tide .
TRIANGLE DRIFTER
Because I was born here and at my age i have come to know all the answer to your questions .
What ever you think of you will not be too far wrong.
We can not solve all the problems on this Island by taking for one and giving to another, neither should we !
So ! May I leave it with you to take good care of youself and your family.
” Hope for the best and pray for the rest “
Too many properties air bnb. It has pushed the rental price beyond reach. Ban Air BNB, reduce the number of houses someone can own, directly and indirectly benefit from (if put in a trust).
There is much property wealth in Bermuda. This needs to be broken up asap to make a fair Bermuda, so Bermudians can afford their own home or afford lower rents . The PLP are clueless, or rather… they are fascist right wing dictators. You choose.
Most rents are at current market value where many pay packets are not .
Many Air BNB units have beem made vacant by covid and inflation
With many hotel closures the Air BNB saved to day
Air BNB’s are a” bus mans holiday” ie: the renter does their own cooking etc.
“Many landlords, feeling that their property rights are compromised, avoid the long-term rental market altogether—leaving properties empty, converting them to short-term rentals, or upgrading them beyond affordable levels. In some cases, these restrictions have even led to discriminatory practices among landlords. The scarcity created by these policies only increases competition, leaving fewer options for Bermudians seeking stable housing.”
There needs to be reform in housing and rent control but removing it is not necessarily the option.
Giving landlords carte blanche to rent units at any value will only see rents increase exponentially as most landlords will want to get as much income as possible. Everyone is not charitable, but also with the cost of living, most people need as much as they can get. Rent control, while definitely not perfect, provides a modicum of control, so that there are units in the market that are capped. Removing that totally would require all landlords to be sensitive to the needs of the community, and I don’t see that happening.
RENT CONTROL.
Why do land lords have a problem renting their properties, can’t be loss of interest can it ?
Stagnant ” Rent Control ” does not keep up with rising costs.
Who shall we blame for that ?