Section 2: Key Legal Terms for Tenants and Landlords in Uganda
2.Interpretation
(1)In this Act unless the context otherwise requires—
"annoyance" in relation to a tenancy, means the unwarranted, unreasonable, offensive or unlawful interference in the use or enjoyment of rented premises;
"assignment" means the transfer of the rights or interest in the tenancy from one person to another;
"business" includes trade, profession or employment and includes any activity carried on by a body of persons; whether corporate or unincorporate;
"business premises" in relation to a tenancy, means premises occupied by the tenant for the purposes of a business carried on by the tenant;
"court" means a court of competent jurisdiction and includes local council courts;
"currency point" has the value assigned to it in Schedule 1 to this Act;
"landlord" means a person who lets premises under a tenancy and includes the duly authorised agent of the landlord or a person who is in lawful possession of the premises and has the right to let them;
"lease" includes a sublease;
"Minister" means the Minister responsible for housing;
"premises" means business or residential premises to which this Act applies;
"rent" in relation to a tenancy, means the amount paid to a landlord by a tenant to occupy premises and use facilities and services;
"rented premises" in relation to a tenancy to which this Act applies, means business or residential premises let under the tenancy;
"residential premises" means—
(a)premises which are used solely as a home, residence, sleeping place by a tenant and includes housing estates, tenements, apartment buildings, mobile homes;
(b)mixed-use premises which are used simultaneously for both residential purposes and to carry out a home-based business;
"services" in relation to a tenancy, means the use of water, light or power, conservancy, sewerage facilities, sweepers, watchmen, telephone or other amenities or facilities available to the tenant except—
(a)the supplying of means, and the right of access to any place or accommodation accorded to the tenant by reason of the tenant's occupation of the premises comprised in the tenancy;
(b)capital expenditure on maintenance;
"tenancy" means a relationship created by a lease, agreement or assignment and includes a sub-tenancy but does not include a relationship between a mortgagor and mortgagee;
"tenancy agreement" means an agreement, in writing or otherwise, express or implied, under which a tenancy is created;
"tenant" means the person to whom premises are let under a tenancy;
"utilities" includes water, light or power, conservancy, sewerage facilities, sweepers, watchmen, telephone or other amenities or facilities available to the tenant.
(2)Notwithstanding anything in any other written law requiring the registration of tenancies, evidence of a tenancy may, for any of the purposes of this Act, be given in court, whether the tenancy is registered or not.
Plain English Summary
This section defines the key words used in the Landlord and Tenant Act. Knowing these meanings helps you understand your rights and duties as a tenant...
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