The Montenegrin Tenants' Association welcomed local measures such as a portion of subsidized rent in Podgorica, but they said they were temporary, limited and insufficient.
The President of the Association, Dragan Živković, stated that the essence of the problem remains the unregulated rental market and the complete lack of legal and institutional protection.
The Association of Tenants of Montenegro has warned of the increasingly difficult position of tenants, who constitute one of the most numerous, but also the most unprotected social groups in the country.
"Subtenancy is no longer a temporary phase, but a long-term reality for tens of thousands of citizens - young families, employees, pensioners and students," said Živković.
He stated that the problem of subtenants has escalated significantly in the past two years. Excessive rents, lack of written contracts, sudden terminations, misuse of deposits and lack of institutional protection have made it impossible for many families to live and function normally.
The Tenants' Association has continuously warned the relevant institutions about this situation, sending numerous appeals, initiatives and requests for a solution to the problem. Unfortunately, most of these appeals have remained unanswered, which further exacerbates the social injustice and insecurity of the tenants.
Since its establishment, the Montenegrin Tenants' Association has advocated the introduction of a Tenants' Registry, in order to assess the true extent of the problem, the adoption of the Law on the Protection of Tenants' Rights, supported by the EU Delegation in Podgorica and the Ombudsman, and the development of a model of social and affordable housing.
Also, the Association launched the Black Book of Rentierism, organized public actions and provided advisory support to citizens, but without a concrete reaction from the competent institutions, progress has been limited.
"We call on state institutions to finally recognize housing policy as a matter of social security and human dignity, and not exclusively of market interest. Tenants are seeking stability, predictability and the right to a normal life," said Živković.
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