From left, Noel Monteith, Kern Spencer, Derrick Kellier, Roger Clarke, Aloun Assamba and Donald Buchanan.

A cursory look at last Sunday's Gleaner real-estate listings suggests that some public officials are getting accommodations rentals at 'bargain' prices.

This comes against the background of revelations that several public officials are paying below-market rent for state-owned houses located in upmarket areas of the Corporate Area.

The real-estate listings show that a one-bedroom studio in Greater Portmore, St. Catherine, is going for $15,000 monthly, negotiable. Furthermore, the owner of a fully furnished bedroom and loft executive apartment in a small, gated complex located off Liguanea Avenue, St. Andrew, was asking $57,000 per month, plus maintenance fee.

The classifieds further show that the owner of another fully furnished one-bedroom apartment in Oxford Manor, New Kingston, was seeking US$1,000 (US$69,000) per month. Over in Cherry Gardens, a new three-bedroom, two-bathroom flat with a swimming pool was going for $85,000, while a three-bedroom town house with helper's quarters in the same area was going for US$2,200 per month, which is just shy of $150,000 per month.

Comparing prices

These prices seem exorbitant when compared to those being paid by public officials who occupy government houses in upscale areas such as those mentioned above. In fact, only the $15,000 rental being asked for the Portmore studio is even remotely comparable.

Yet, despite the relatively low rates being enjoyed by some public officials, Lois Edwards-Bourne, director of corporate legal services at the National Land Agency (NLA), points out that there was an increase in some of the rental rates two years ago after refurbishing was done. Prior to that increase, the Government collected $9.6 million from its tenants in 2004.

While she refuses to give specific details on each house, the NLA official reveals that the properties currently occupied include studios; one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; three-bedroom town houses, and single-family three- and four-bedroom houses.

Not for general public

These houses and the preferential rates that go with them are not available to the general public.

"They are really reserved for civil servants and public officials," says Bourne.

Elizabeth Stair, commissioner of lands and CEO at the NLA, says while it is the Minister of Agriculture and Lands who approves the rental fees officials living in state-owned houses are to be charged, she is responsible for preparing the agreements.

The NLA has failed to specify what percentage each of its tenants is paying.