With the coming up of various mega projects like Mangdechu hydropower project, domestic airport and Jigmeling industrial estate, the number of residents in Gelephu has increased. However, with limited housing facilities and increasing demand for houses, the rents have been skyrocketing in recent years.
Our reporter Pema Samdrup says, the house owners have been revising their rents every subsequent year. This has caused lots of inconveniences among the tenants.
Most of the tenants said, they are left with no option but to continue paying the revised rents. They said it is not fair as the landlords are not following the Tenancy Act.
“People like us are finding it difficult to even find an apartment and I live with my relatives,” said Tashi Dorji, a local resident.
According to an official from Gelephu Thromde, both the parties are equally responsible for not complying by the Tenancy Act. He said they should also have a lease agreement without which Thromde will not accept the complaint.
Meanwhile, some of the house owners said, the Thromde office should allow people to construct houses which have been restricted for several years now. They said this will help reduce the house rents.
Meanwhile, the Executive Engineer of the Gelephu Thromde, Chophel Dorji said, the local area plan I has been completed. This is expected to help ease housing crunch in Gelephu.
Gelephu Thromde has about 10,000 residents and has over 200 buildings.
