The Protection of Occupants Bill was presented to Parliament this week by Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, sparking mixed reactions among landlords, tenants, and property sector stakeholders.

The Bill, which received Cabinet approval in September 2025 and has since been gazetted, seeks to prevent landlords from ejecting occupants from premises except through a court order. The Government says the proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening legal protections for lawful occupants and addressing arbitrary evictions.

Under the proposed law, the provisions will apply to any person who is in lawful occupation of premises and has remained in undisturbed and uninterrupted occupation for a period exceeding three months. Once the law comes into effect, it will be unlawful for a landlord to eject an occupant in contravention of the terms of a lease or tenancy agreement, except by an order issued by a competent court.

The Bill also seeks to criminalise indirect eviction practices. Landlords will be prohibited from discontinuing essential amenities or facilities, or deliberately damaging premises, as a means of forcing an occupant to vacate. Upon enactment, the Rent Act, No. 7 of 1972 will be repealed.

A key fear expressed by the public is that rental and property prices may rise, as landlords attempt to offset what they see as increased legal risk and reduced flexibility. Some property owners have cautioned that stricter eviction rules could discourage individuals from renting out properties altogether, potentially tightening supply in the rental market.

There are also concerns about delays in the judicial process, with critics warning that requiring court orders for eviction could prolong disputes for months or even years, particularly in cases involving non-payment of rent or breach of lease conditions.