Landlord demanding Christmas money

I rent a small apartment in Mwanza. Every December, my landlord comes around demanding what he calls ‘Christmas money.’ He says it’s a tradition and that all tenants must pay him an extra amount during the festive season. The truth is, his demands are harassing to say the least. Last year, he threatened to evict me if I didn’t pay. I already struggle to pay rent, and this extra demand feels unfair. I want to know: is this legal under Tanzanian law? Can a landlord force tenants to pay extra money outside the agreed rent? What protection do tenants have? Please guide me.

KL, Mwanza

We have not reviewed your lease agreement. However, under Tanzanian law, particularly the Land Act Cap. 113 [R.E 2023] and the Law of Contract Act, Cap. 345 [R.E 2023], a landlord cannot impose charges outside the agreed tenancy contract. The amount of rent defined in the lease agreement is the only one recognised by law, and any additional demands, such as ‘Christmas money’, are unlawful unless expressly agreed in the lease agreement. Threatening eviction and harassing you for failure to pay such sums amounts to a breach of the right to quiet enjoyment of the leased property and could be challenged in Court. Moreover, even if you agreed to such a charge in the lease agreement; even then, the law requires landlords to follow due process for evictions, including providing notice.

You should document these demands and if necessary report the matter to the Land and Housing Tribunal in your area to seek legal redress. Your lawyer can guide you further.