Why landlords should know their tenants
Landlords must take steps to protect their property and ensure a positive rental experience by understanding their tenants’ businesses and professions. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Experts suggest that leasing a property goes beyond just handing over keys to tenants. It’s about building a relationship founded on trust, transparency and clear communication.
Dar es Salaam. The seizure of hundreds of kilogrammes of narcotics from a house in Dar es Salaam has highlighted the need for landlords to be fully aware of their tenants’ undertakings.
Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) Commissioner General Aretas Lyimo yesterday revealed that in joint operations with other law enforcement agencies DCEA intercepted over 2,200 kilogrammes of narcotics and arrested seven suspects in Dar es Salaam and Tanga.
Of particular concern to landlords is DCEA’s recent operation in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, where Mohamed Suleiman Bakar and Sullesh Said Mhailoh were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. The drugs were discovered in a rented house, stored in a vehicle, ready for distribution.
Mr Lyimo warned landlords to be cautious when renting properties, as traffickers often use homes to store drugs, without residing in them.
“Under the Drug Control and Enforcement Act, properties involved in drug activities are subject to confiscation,” he said.
Landlords who fail to report suspicious activities risk severe penalties, including fines ranging from Sh5 million to Sh50 million or imprisonment for 5 to 30 years, Mr Lyimo added.
Experts suggest that leasing a property goes beyond just handing over keys to tenants. It’s about building a relationship founded on trust, transparency and clear communication.
Landlords must take steps to protect their property and ensure a positive rental experience by understanding their tenants’ businesses and professions.
Mr Christian Kimati, a landlord in Kijitonyama area in Dar es Salaam, told The Citizen that it is essential for property owners to ensure that the person leasing their property is properly identified by local government authorities.
This, he believes, can help protect properties from misuse, such as being used by drug traffickers or other illicit activities. “Knowing your tenant’s background, business and region is key to securing your property,” Mr Kimati said.
Mr Lyimo further explained that drug traffickers often rent properties for storage purposes, without living on the premises, to avoid detection. “We urge landlords to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Properties used for illegal activities can be seized under the law,” he added.
