The common Mwananchi now has something to smile about after all tenants were allowed to stop paying rents during the covid-19 pandemic.
According to Landlords and Tenants Association (LATAK), all tenants should not pay rent since the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the economy making it difficult for people to even put food on the table.
LAKTAK officials led by Secretary-General Ben Liyai made this relieving announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, where they added that no tenant should be harassed to pay rent during these difficult times.
“LATAK directs all tenants not to pay rent until when President Uhuru Kenyatta orders businesses to resume normal operations,” said Liyai during the conference.
LAKTAK said that all the relevant people have been informed about the new order arguing that Landlords should understand the situation at hand.
“All the landlords must forthwith stop evictions, harassment and disconnection of electricity and water to tenants.”
Any landlord or tenant having trouble to adhere to the new directive is requested to contact the association by sending the word ‘Landlord’ or ‘Tenant’ for further clarification.
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Earlier on the association had requested the landlords to consider giving their tenants a rent waiver for the months of April, May, and June to cushion them during the crisis.
The announcement will come in handy to cushion Kenyans and especially low-income earners who have been forced to stay at home during this time.
However, the situation was different in Uganda after the Government through the Vice President issued a ‘polite threat’ to all landlords to allow tenants to stay in the houses for 90 days or face serious repercussions.
The notice sent to all Landlords in Uganda stated that “Failure to comply with this order, the government will take over your apartment or you will be sentenced for seven years or both.”
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