Sabooriya Begum v. Hassan – sllr 1996 volume 1 page 134

In the case between Sabooriya Begum (landlord-respondent) and Hassan (tenant-appellant), the court addressed the issue of whether the landlord’s claim for “reasonable requirement” under section 22(1)(bb) of the Rent Act was justifiable when balanced against the comparative hardship potentially faced by the tenant. It was held that the landlord’s cumulative hardship—considering age, dependents, financial situation, and lack of alternative accommodation—outweighed any hardship claimed by the tenant. The court reaffirmed that, under the Rent Act, a writ of ejectment cannot be issued until alternative accommodation is arranged for the tenant, ensuring statutory protection. This decision relied on established case law and statutory interpretation, emphasizing that a landlord’s demonstrated hard