Abu Dhabi: Kuwait lawmakers have proposed a draft rent relief law to provide tenants a six-month rent waiver amid the coronavirus pandemic, Kuwaiti media reported.
The authors of the draft law have called upon the authorities to step up protections for tenants amid disasters, wars, epidemics or in general economic crises.
Under the bill, emergency conditions have been defined as those resulting from natural disasters, wars, epidemics or general economic crises during which, the Cabinet shall adopt measures in view of disruptions to commercial, industrial or any economic or professional activity or facilities related to those activities.
Lawmakers have proposed waiving of rents for six months, followed by a 60 per cent cut in rents for the next six months.
Protection against eviction
Tenants facing the risk of eviction can breathe a little easy now as this bill aims to ensure protection against eviction.
“In all cases, the landlord may not obligate the tenants to vacate the leased property after the occurrence of emergency conditions and throughout the period of the year prescribed for exemption and the reduction of the fare [rent], as well as if the effect continues, according to decisions issued by the Council of Ministers, for a longer period that prevents the use of the leased property,” says the draft law.
The lawmakers have also demanded that the authorities compensate tenants, who pay rents in advance, during emergencies, for a similar period without any payment.
Many tenants are low-wage earners or seniors on fixed incomes. If their income is disrupted due to any emergency situation or calamity then paying rent becomes a major challenge for them.
The lawmakers want the authorities to protect tenants against rising rents, under the assumption that some landlords will attempt to shore up losses during the eviction moratorium by raising rents, driving out lower-paying tenants and filling vacant apartments with wealthier ones.
