To the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC, M.P

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago

A pleasant good day to you Madame Prime Minister I am but a humble citizen of the Beautiful Twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. I write this letter to you with a heavy heart for my brothers and sisters in this country. I am 26 years of age and full time student working part time to help sustain myself and my family. I believe I represent a considerable number of citizens in my position as a renter. We have been at the mercy of landlords in some cases our whole lives. We rent from landlords in T&T and our peace of mind and lively hood are being held ransom by renters and landlords who see us as cash cows.

We the working citizens of T&T who are not fortunate to have a home of our own or receive a government house understand our position and work towards better, but I believe that it is a breach of our constitutional right as a citizens of this country to be bullied by a landlord who has a get rich quick scheme. A landlord who exploits hard working citizens by unjustly raising rents and charges exorbitant fees for “miniscule spaces”. We refuse to be taken advantage of simply because we need a roof over our heads and can’t find another alternatives. This is but a small voice seeking justice and equality

Do we not have rights, who will protect the single parent mother who didn’t finish school and is threatened with rent increases every six months? What about the students who need apartments and pay over 3500 dollars per month for a studio in addition to their university fees. According to ministry of legal affairs there is no functioning board of rental assessment since 2001. We need help Madame Prime Minister and as such we are creating this petition simply to show you how many people are suffering at the hands of these injustices.

I hope that in this democratic society the voice of the people can be heard and some initiative can be constructed to alleviate this problem. Please see petition attached.

A concerned citizen

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Arkkim Peter Noellien