Oct 24, 2026
2 min read
Landlords who attempt to force tenants to accept higher rent by disconnecting utilities, removing doors or damaging rented properties could face criminal charges, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has warned.
Speaking on his programme Issues in the News, Nandlall said landlords cannot unilaterally change the rent agreed upon with tenants, and any increase must be negotiated unless the rental agreement provides otherwise.
“The rent can only be increased or decreased by agreement because the rent was arrived at by agreement,” he said.
He explained that landlords generally cannot increase rent during a fixed-term lease, such as a one-year agreement, unless the contract allows for it or both parties agree to the change.
Landlords seeking higher rent can negotiate with tenants or apply to the Magistrate's Court for an adjustment, Nandlall said. Where an agreement cannot be reached, any decision to terminate the tenancy must comply with the contract and applicable legal requirements.
However, he said complaints reaching him suggest that some landlords are resorting to intimidation when tenants refuse proposed increases.
Nandlall described allegations of landlords removing doors, pulling off roofing materials, disconnecting water and electricity, and otherwise interfering with rented properties to pressure tenants into accepting their demands.
“All of that is illegal,” he declared, warning that landlords responsible for such conduct could face criminal charges. Affected tenants may also seek damages or court injunctions to prevent further interference.
The Attorney General stressed that landlords cannot forcibly remove tenants, even after a rental agreement has ended.
They must follow the legal process to recover possession of their properties, including serving the appropriate notice and obtaining a court order where necessary. If a tenant still refuses to leave, an ejectment warrant must be obtained for a court bailiff to carry out the eviction.
Nandlall also reminded tenants that they must honour their own obligations, including paying the agreed rent on time and complying with the terms of their rental agreements.
He said tenants must continue paying rent while they remain in occupation, including after an agreement has been terminated and while eviction proceedings are ongoing.
Landlord-tenant relationships in Guyana are governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act, the Rent Restriction Act and the terms of individual rental agreements, he said.
