Mercy for landlords
Government recently announced that it shall forge ahead with plans for the 'rationalisation' of development outside the existing development zone, an exercise which supposedly is being carried out to do justice with those people who were somehow or...
Government recently announced that it shall forge ahead with plans for the 'rationalisation' of development outside the existing development zone, an exercise which supposedly is being carried out to do justice with those people who were somehow or other discriminated against when the 1988 Temporary Permit Scheme was established.
In principle, there is nothing wrong with righting a wrong, but Government should know that there are more pressing issues where justice can be done, and the one topping the list is surely that concerning owners of rented property.
If Government really believes in "justice for all", priority should have been given to the 1939 Rent Laws by which property owners have been suffering for a very long time. Government should honour the pledge announced a year ago by Minister Dolores Cristina that a White Paper was to be published about the 1939 Rent Law.
We beg the government to show some mercy on the landlords and to find a solution for those who have already inherited property rented at ridiculous rates, or are about to inherit property, at the latest by 2010, and to permit them to adjust rents to more reasonable levels.
A house currently rented at Lm10, Lm20 or Lm30 a year should be revised to Lm10, Lm20 or Lm30 a month during the transition period until 2010. After 2010, it would be possible either for the landlord to have his property back or else for the tenant to continue to rent it according to 1996 rent legislation.
Government will also benefit from adjusting its Rent Laws because it will collect tax from the additional income that is to be gained. I remind the government that many people did not send their petitions form for the 1939 Rent Referendum announced by Alternattiva Demokratika because they were promised by Mrs Cristina that Government was to have a solution for this matter.
The prime minister also stated on a Net TV programme that this issue is to be tackled.
At this stage, however, the situation is still very unfair: there are citizens who can rent their property at current market prices; and others who have their rent prices controlled by the 1939 law. We are still waiting for justice to be done.