About a year ago I made a post on Bermuda Sucks complaining about my landlord increasing the rent by 20%, after living in the apartment for only one year. I got some replies talking about Rent Control in Bermuda. I did some research and to my surprise discovered that my apartment was covered by the rent control act and that my landlord had no right to demand any such increase in rent. At this point I stopped posting and the thread quickly ran out. However events where occurring at that time, that I thought it best not to mention, now that its all sorted and some time has passed, I'm now prepared to share my story............

Before I moved into the apartment the landlord had done some builder work, converting the apartment form a one bed to a studio (i.e. they closed off one room, that became part of their house). They then, with out telling the rent control department, increased the rent by 40%. When I (and the rent control department) learnt this, it all got a bit nasty. I confronted my landlord about this and they demanded I either agree to the increase in rent or move out. I talked to the rent commissioner and he advised that I could remain in the apartment pay the lawful rent and claim back the money from the overpaid rent. When I told my landlord this, they disconnected the water to the apartment; because the pump and water tank were all on my landlord's property, to which I had no access,(my apartment having a separate access from the street) I was powerless to reconnect the water. The rent commission, the police and relevant government departments were all useless at helping me get the water reconnected and after 1 month I moved out.

Following legal advice I took my landlord to court to get the overpaid rent. I was surprise to find this involve no fewer than 8 trips to court. I claimed for over paid rent and harassment cause by the loss of water supply. I gave a witness notice for the Rent Commissioner to appear in court, he was brilliant and very helpful. The judge ruled that I was due the money I had paid in overpaid rent and the deposit, but I lost my harassment claim for having the water disconnected.

It’s been a while since this has ended, but I thought it would be nice to place a post and let you know what happened.

I'll repeat Wiki's post and say well done, takes a lot of guts (as an expat) to fight the system.  Sorry that you were bullied and harrassed out of your home and that wherever you are now that you're a lot happier!  It's nice to know the system works if you have the wherewithall to take it all the way and make it happen!  karma to you for sharing your story.

Hopefully this also means that whoever is occupying your old apartment is now paying the correct rent??

SG, I thought about that but it would necessitate outing Wiki.  Since she's an expat on a work permit that wouldn't be a good thing.

Good point Blanks. Maybe with a little luck someone down at The Rent Commissioner's office will check in to BS in the morning and decide to do their own posting on their site....

outing me? nope...outing Wensleydale! I have zero guts when it comes to taking a stand on this rock as an expat!