CHARMINAR: House and flat owners in certain parts of Old City areas have refused to waive off rents for their tenants during the ongoing lockdown.
At a time when lower and middle class families are facing a lot of difficulties due to financial crisis and lack of essential commodities, the added burden off rent comes as a big blow.
Tentants TOI spoke to said they had requested their lessors to go easy on them, but had allegedly been told by the owners that they depended entirely on rent to make ends meet. "We have been told to pay the ongoing month's rent first without any delay or expectation of relaxation. Though we have informed them about our problems and the government's instruction, they have refused to accept our pleas citing they too depend on our rents," Aziza begum said.
Though there are lessors who have waived off rents, they are too few and far between. A few tenants told TOI that they were yet to speak to their property owners about rent relaxation.
"My owner didn't ask our rent so far, so let us wait. At this time, we hope for release from mounting financial burden. There's no way we can pay rent if we are unable to earn," said Younous from Tappachabutra area.
A woman from old Sabzi mandi Karwan said she had next to nothing for the coming days and was depending entirely on tea to pull through the day. Despite this, her house owner is unwilling to waive off or even reduce her rent.
April 14, 2020
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