PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI, Egbert Doran on Wednesday urged landlords and tenants to seek “reasonable solutions” with each other regarding rent payments.
This call for compromise has been a government talking point during the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis, as both Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and Finance Minister Ardwell Irion have previously urged leniency from landlords and responsibility from tenants.
Speaking during the virtual Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday morning, Doran said he had received multiple complaints from tenants and landlords regarding rent payments. He also said residents’ concerns about rent had “spiked” since the start of the pandemic.
“Fall-out due to this pandemic has caused some unforeseen stoppage in cash flow within the general population of St. Maarten, as well as businesses on the island. This has led to continued issues and frustrations between tenants and landlords.
“While the ministry is not condoning or suggesting that tenants should stop paying their rent completely, the ministry is strongly urging tenants and landlords, together with the Rent Committee, to seek reasonable solutions to the conflicts that have arisen,” said Doran.
He also said that even if attempts to resolve rental conflicts prove unsuccessful, persons should be “empathetic with each other in these trying times.”
Doran urged landlords to be as lenient as possible with tenants who have lost their sources of income. He also urged tenants who are still able to pay rent to continue to do so and not use the current crisis to “take advantage.”
Doran said some landlords may not be able to meet their financial obligations if rent is withheld, as there are persons who survive from rental income alone.
“I believe that tenants should realise that any leniency shown by landlords, specifically during this time, does not constitute the right to permanently stop paying rent. … As a tenant, you still will be obligated to pay the balance of your rent in the coming months. Where possible, … pay as much as you can, as the outstanding amount will only continue to accumulate,” said Doran.
According to him, a frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) page regarding rent payments will be added to the government’s website. Information on the correct process to evict tenants will also be posted on the website, he said.
“It is against the law for landlords to evict tenants without a decision from the Rent Committee or from the Court of First Instance,” said Doran. This is legislated in Article 7:248 of the Civil Code.
