A permissible incentive for tenants to pay their rentals on time
Question
In one of your earlier Q&A’s, you stated that it is not permissible to charge a tenant a penalty for late payment of rent as it would be interest. I called the Jamiat offices and I was told that as an alternative, I may charge my tenant, for e.g. R6350.00 rental per Month and if he pays it on time, I can give him a discount of R350.00 so he pays his rent on time in future. Now my question is, can I cancel the rate of escalation (8%) of rentals for the following year if my tenant pays me rental on time so he pays in future on time too?
Answer
In the enquired, it would be permissible for the landlord to undertake to forfeit the fixed rate of escalation of rentals for the following year if the tenant pays his rentals on time. This will serve as an incentive for the tenant to pay his rentals on time.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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