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‘Do not evict the tenants during this time’- Premier Fahie to landlords

- As some people have been laid off due to coronavirus measures
Landlords in the Virgin Islands are being urged not to evict their tenants unable to pay their rent due to being laid off or affected financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister for Finance Hon. Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has told landlords to ‘work with their tenants’ and be understanding during this difficult time. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister for Finance Hon. Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has told landlords to ‘work with their tenants’ and be understanding during this difficult time. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) is beseeching landlords to not evict their tenants unable to pay their rent due to being laid off or affected financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing residents last night, April 1, 2020, via a live televised broadcast shared on social media and radio, the premier said, “Work with your tenants and be understanding. We are in this together and we have to help each other in whatever way we can to get through this. These decisions are tough and what is being asked is a lot, but we are doing this to save lives.”

Following his live update, Premier Fahie then went on ZBVI 780 AM to further share information with the people and to hear their concerns and answer any questions they had.

“Please don’t evict the tenants”

He used the opportunity to reiterate his appeal to landlords.

“Please don’t evict the tenants during this time because some persons were laid off.”

He added: “It is clear that we have to depend on ourselves during this difficult time, as we have always had to depend all the time. It is going to be a rough time with the economic part of it for all countries but we will get through it together.”

Beginning today, Thursday, until Friday, residents will be allowed to stock up on food and other essentials for another 14 days of complete lockdown.

31 Responses to “‘Do not evict the tenants during this time’- Premier Fahie to landlords”

  • Hmmm. (02/04/2020, 09:47) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    Thanks Premier.. Good looking out... Landlord say is she alone paying bank, not she and Fahie.. Got to find that money.. the best way to help is to give us a little thing from social security.. At lease you try.... Thanks...
  • rewrsdffds (02/04/2020, 10:21) Like (43) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will do so.

    BUT please tell the banks do not charge us penalties & interest for mortgage non-payment. Even if they waive mortgage payments, they still back-office collate the interest accrued. This puts the pay-off date further in the future. Thus, let the banks know payments moratorium incl. 0% interest during same period. Otherwise, we will have to re-charge same interests to the tenants!

    These banks been getting away with murder. The Fed interest rates have been so low for a long-time and they have been charging interests at high rates and charging incorrect interests by not revising expired contracts because the new contracts on expiration of the expired ones would result in lower interest rates. Sets of thieves!!!
    • Big Division (02/04/2020, 10:56) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Here is where we are divided the people who are home n still getting full salaries without working they dont understand and care about those that have no job no income. While those without jobs are praying for this to be over to go back to work.. those that getting their salaries locking down benefit them...
  • Anonymous (02/04/2020, 10:22) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    Let funny man take that we got a leader and a premier
    • Dr cool (02/04/2020, 10:46) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
      Don’t get to excited I am a landlord there is no such law the premier didn’t help me build my house nor helping me pay my loan I have a heart I know I only hope when the dust clears we landlords get a help from the government because we don’t know how long this going be
      • choice (02/04/2020, 13:18) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
        WHAT HAS HE PUT IN PLACE WITH BANKS FOR A LAND LORD WELL SORRY TO SAY THEY HAVE TO PAY ME FAHIE AND HIS GOVERNMENT DO NOT HELP ME .THE FLOOD CAME NO HELP THE INSURANC RIP US OFF THEN DOUBLE AND TRIPLE OUR INSURANCE WHO CAME TO HELP US NO ONE NOW HE COME TALKING PISS AND WE STILL HERE STRUGGLING TO MEET OUR NEEDS WHY HE DO NOT PAY THIER RENT.
      • usa (02/04/2020, 22:06) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
        Premier Fahie, it’s your job to put things in place for your people when they are out of work. Take a page out of the Inited States and how they are helping their people. Landlords are struggling with mortgages and huge insurance bills. Why pass this on us.
  • Lord Help (02/04/2020, 10:33) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    My living boyfriend Got stuck in Dominica.. He was to return on the 25th March but things got shut down so sudden. He pays the rent. The land lord done come this morning for rent...I try to explain but he aint having it.. my head hurts.
    • Devil May Care (02/04/2020, 15:22) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      You are fortunate to have a " living" boyfriend. You have no complaints, Give gratitude.
      Pay the landlord the rent or ship out to Romney Park.
  • realy (02/04/2020, 10:34) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Premier some tenents who can pay is going to use this as an excuse not to pay their rent. You should address that and let the tenants know if you are not laid off from work and do not pay your rent you will be evicted.
    • eye (02/04/2020, 12:19) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
      If you can't pay rent how you going to pay light bill so the best thing to do is go back home that's what they does say . Go because you holding up space for who can pay simple problem solve.
      • Hmm (02/04/2020, 15:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        U assuming is only foreigners who will not be able to pay their rent... what about the belongers where would you put them... on the curbs?
  • Williams & Hewlette (02/04/2020, 10:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Take note please dear $ister Jo¥ & ₩ill¥ . Ghut massive
  • Lord help us all.. (02/04/2020, 11:01) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    My husband got stuck in St Vincent He went for a week to take care some issues.. Was to retuen on Wednesday 25th.. The lock down he wasnt able to return.. i miss him. Hope this over soo so he can come home to his wife and Kids..
  • Diaspora (02/04/2020, 11:14) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The cost of living was sky high and skyrocketing before the roaring ashore of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic but the pandemic has exacerbated the situation. Tourism is a major employer in the BVI and many residents income may have been impacted by Covid-19. True, landlords, telecommunications companies, supermarkets, banks.......etc are not charitable organizations and are in business to turn a profit?

    Nonetheless, the BVI is facing a challenge that most residents have not experienced in their lifetimes; it is an uncertain and unprecedented time. Thus, it is a time for businesses to show some understanding and compassion in this difficult period. Customers have been there for businesses so it time for businesses to show some corporate social responsibility and be there for customers. Shame on any business(s) that employed price gouging during this difficult time. They should be put on blast, on the wall of shame and boycotted. Here is a news flash.

    Customers have memory like elephants and will remember who exploited them during their darkest hour and will take their business to businesses that stood with them during their darkest hour. And they should. For example, a food business in a nearby regional country is now out of business due to price gouging after a hurricane; customers boycotted the business out of business.

    Moreover, true businesses have their own obligations to meet but they can show some compassion. It is not going to bankrupt a business to turn a 35% profit instead of 50% profit. It is an open secret that businesses profit margins are highly inflated. Businesses will say me ah tell lie bout dem profit so prove dat lie me ah tell. Can the greed til after things stabilize; bunch ah greedy ba......s. Furthermore, just charge fair and reasonable prices all the time. BVI businesses need a strong dose of competition, for nothing cause a business to fly right like a strong dose of competition. A former boss of mine’s motto was that nothing makes you appreciate your job more than a strong dose of unemployment.
  • A landlord (02/04/2020, 11:41) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    THEY DON'T CLEAN, THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR APARTMENT NOT EVEN TO IN FRONT THEY DOOR YOU STILL WANT ME TO GIVE THEM A BREAK?OH BY THE WAY TAKE UP MY NAME. SPREAD ME NAME FAULTY SOME OF THEM ALREADY GOT PAY SO TELL WHY I SHOULD GIVE THEM A BREAK.
    • A tenant (02/04/2020, 12:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      you're wrong for leaving that person in your apartment that messing with name. Money over anything else i guess.
    • @ A landlord (03/04/2020, 01:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      How will they buy food to sustain themselves ?

      Now it’s not about moneys
      Be your bro n sisters keeper

      Do good and u should get back that X 20 times
  • eyes (02/04/2020, 12:16) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr premier I'm a landlord with an 8756.00 house insurance to pay for every month and a mortgage with the bank tell me is the government going make up for the rent no being paid when tenant running up your light bill use cistern water and living better than you the owner because they don't have any bank or insurance company calling them about payment due . Well there are people out there that are working and willing to pay for an apartment . It's not fair for a tenant to have a space occupied and someone out needs a space that can pay . So government either help them or they have to go simple . I have a heart and also an obligation to the bank.
    • @eyes (02/04/2020, 15:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Even when the banks give reprieve it's not passed on.
      .
      • eyes (02/04/2020, 18:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        It's up to the landlord not the tenant what you fail to realize that the bank don't give break that principal and interest is added on to the balance of the loan so until you get in bed with the bank you wouldn't know the pressure behind the responsibility that comes with it and I will say this folk's that have home back in their home land are more considerate because they know what it's about with property.
  • Honestly (02/04/2020, 12:16) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    The couple that I rent too always pay their rent every month and on time. What I did was charge them only half of this month’s rent so they can buy food for their child because the wife lost her employment. That is the best that I can do. The ones that has not been paying their rents long before the virus hit, you have to figure a way to at least pay your Landlord something or make some type of payment arrangement/agreement with their Landlord.
    • Just saying (02/04/2020, 12:41) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Not everyone can do what you do without feeling the brunt. And maybe your conscience now kicking in for overcharging them since COVID 19 come. If you could go so low as a 50% discount then when COVID over how about charging 75% of the amount pre COVID?

      Some people told me I charging too low for a furnished 2 bedroom. But God helps those who help others along with themselves.
      • how much (03/04/2020, 09:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        How much you charging for the furnished 2 bedroom? I ain't mean to ask you your business but I curious about what amount is considered too low.
  • The Reset Button (02/04/2020, 12:28) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Worse times are ahead, gonna be the biggest recession in the history of the world, mark my words.
  • jello (02/04/2020, 12:58) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    You can tell me do not put them out next month but not the end of the month they should have save that money. I am not hearing tell the bank to give a break on the loans. It is a chain reaction
  • legal team (02/04/2020, 14:38) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    But,in any event,its curfew time..
    No work,no money.
    The premier needs to call on all institutions to hold back..
    because,landlord must pay their loans etc..
    This should be a plea to all financial institutions.
  • fact (03/04/2020, 04:00) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Fahie loves people unlike the ndp
  • F5ath7er God (03/04/2020, 15:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wh7at wrong with these ppl is h7uman being we talking about hay not goat and sheep do if someone cant pay u going put them out inu this çrisis lord please forgive us we know not what we do peter pay for paul paul pay for all good luck people God have mercy corona is not the last many more to come
  • new at this (03/04/2020, 16:06) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Rent or Tent am sorry choose 1, because the bank ain't sorry


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