05/06/2020
Civid-19 is a phenominon that is new and devastating to many countries. Many lives were taken globally. A nightmare of a viris. Its a time to be sympathetic, empathetic and be one people to fight this pandemic. Unfortunately, Covid-19 didnt just took lives, but also destroyed our economies. In Belize, the most of us were already struggling before the pandemic. Now, most of the middle & lower income families lost their jobs. They cant buy food nor pay utilities, bank loans and others bills including rents. Now Landlords and Tenants are both desperate. We may not be rich enough to give out money, but we definetly can give our people free advice. Some landlords owe bank mortgages and tenants lost thier jobs temporarily or permanently. The misconception that is on the streets is that Landlords cannot come collect you the rent for this period of the State of Emergency. Some tenants are still working full time and use this as an opportunity to delay or abuse landlords by not wanting to pay rent. Who said Landlords cant collect their full rent money??? As long as someone is renting your room, house, business place etc they are obligated to pay rent regardless of Covid, Hurricane, or even Earthquake unless theyre dead. Now, its up to the Landlords to be lenient or use their discretion if they want to give a discount or furgo sone months rent (give it for free). They dont have to. Theres NO law in Belize to say they must! I've heard several landlords and tenants saying they cant collect their rents or they dont have to pay rent cause the "AG seh so". A.G. cant say so and he Didnt say so. As countrymen, we expect our neighbors, landlords and even our tenants to understand our financial situation in these times especially if you dont have a job right now; but they dont have to! If I was a landlord and my tenant lost his job in this lockdown of Covid19, I probably would give them a month or two rent free, but thats just me. However, if the tenant is soneone like what a landlord told me about who looked at him and said "she dont have to pay any rent for the months of the lock down" and with attitude as well, then she started to party and invite other people over at the same time during our SOE. Tenants like this, I definetly wouldnt give up ANY rents to. By experience, if you owe rent or any debt to someone or business, BE HUMBLE. REMEMBER, they DONT have to be understamding of your situation or empathetic. Some people just dont for many reasons. Some may be personal and some are just like that (cold) in character. However, the onus is on us to make them understand or be empathetic towards us, and this is easier to do if we are humble and respectfull towards them. Moat people ate forgiving and understanding but we have to know what and how to get through to them. If you cant do it verbally, tyen do it with a letter or an email. The content should include reasons why you cant pay and maybe a reminder of the state of the economy we're in, and most importantly, how amd when you plan to pay them. Be honest to yourself and to them. It always works! Otherwise, pay your bills as they come or at least how you can because if you dont, legal action may be taoen against you. Magistrate may or may not understand your situation, but if they do, you will STILL be ordered to pay any rent or bill overdue. Be safe and stay home if you can! Help protect Belize from Covid-19.
