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No Excuse! ‘If you are working, pay your rent’ – Hon Maduro-Caines

-urges persons on half salary to organize payment structure with landlords
Sixth District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI), House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) has called on persons to continue paying rent amidst the COVID-19 pandemic if they are still employed. Photo: HoA/Youtube
The Legislator further encourage landlords to not be ‘evil and selfish’ rather, work with tenants who are facing difficulties to pay rents. Photo: Internet Source
The Legislator further encourage landlords to not be ‘evil and selfish’ rather, work with tenants who are facing difficulties to pay rents. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Sixth District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI), House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) has called on persons to continue paying their rent amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, if they are still employed.

‘Tenants if you are working, pay your landlord, pay your rent, you have no excuse to pay your rent!” the Legislator said at the Tuesday’s September 29, 2020, Fourteenth Sitting of The Second Session of The Fourth HoA.

“If you’re working on half salary, speak to your landlord, some may be understanding, some may not be understanding, but I know it’s half and half,” Hon Maduro-Caines said.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated job loss, the legislator highlighted that many have taken to social media to complain of strained relationships between landlords and tenants over the none payment of rent.

Speak to your landlords - Hon Maduro-Caines 

“Don just say noting and not pay your rent, my advice to you is pay something, organize some kind of payment structure with your landlord... don’t just feel you can go about and not pay your rent because you are on half salary,” she said.

The Legislator further encourage landlords to not be ‘evil and selfish’ rather, work with tenants who are facing difficulties at this time.

She further urged landlords to not increase rent for persons who have allowed additional relatives to live on the rented property, ‘During this pandemic, we need to be more understanding to people’s needs and we need to help as much as we can during this time,” Hon Maduro-Caines said.

34 Responses to “No Excuse! ‘If you are working, pay your rent’ – Hon Maduro-Caines”

  • House owner (03/10/2020, 11:03) Like (12) Dislike (12) Reply
    Ms caines you talking frought how you can let people come in to an apartment when it is scheduled for only four or three persons, you know how hard people has to wotk to build their place the tennabts must leyt them in and payong the same rent bcause it is hard with the person who is let in the apartment, THe tennants even is not saying any thing or tellinh the land ant thing the people just comming and seakning out of the apsrtment. Ms. Caines the police will be asking people to leave because landlords are fcing issues with theit tennants befire you make such statements you need to find out what landlords are facing, you talk to the tennants but they doing as if the house is theirs The tennants need to be put out to learn a lesson they csnnot use people house for shelter by their friends and other relatives
    • Peaches (03/10/2020, 20:10) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
      Why are ppl disliking this post? You all tenants are too out out of order! You all want to come into people place and do what you all want! You all must realise that you cannot just bring additional persons into a Landlord without first seeking permission from the Landlord. Landlords, you need to put all of these restrictions in your lease. If some of you all tenants friends have no place to stay/not working your all need to return to your homeland.
    • Ms wize (04/10/2020, 16:20) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ home owner... who write your receipts for you? Its obvious that you are facing problems with tenants and with your intellect.. go to night school it helps
  • Agree (03/10/2020, 11:07) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why are citizens and belongers can't get on the schedule of those businesses that are opened...Why are These xpats work permit hate uy managers leaving us off the schedule. We have to eat and, bills to pay and families to feed. So why can't every staff get at least a two days instead of favorite staff getting 5 days and some.getting none... U all just talking.. we are suffering.
  • CHAK. (03/10/2020, 11:15) Like (4) Dislike (14) Reply
    And if I not working? who will pay it?...Landlords must be more flexible.
    • huh (03/10/2020, 13:59) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      You need to come out of the people place. When the banks go with the houses, where will the landlords live?
      • To Huh (03/10/2020, 17:04) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
        Some of them are too darn wicked. Some of them were NOT paying full rent before the virus and they are NOW using the virus as an excuse
  • i like that (03/10/2020, 11:17) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    If you are working pay. If you are not.wotking don't pay... landlord won't.be happy hearing that, as good as it sounds, you live in people place work or no work, u should pay, if you can't pay move unless landlord give u a break...
  • um (03/10/2020, 11:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most tenants are expats and lots of them are not working lots of them are not getting anything from the covid relief funds. I am included me and my other co workers we all working for company A so why are all the locals and a few expat getting covid relief and not everybody when we are all working same place. Employers fill the same forms for all of us. Where will a mother get the rent money from when SSB not giving her anything from the relief.
  • Let’s be FAIR (03/10/2020, 11:56) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some staff members is getting more hours than others. Why is that? Hate to sound gross but, do I have to sleep with my boss to get extra hours? Do I have to let my boss run up and touch on me to get extra hours? Do I have to allow my boss to say to me everyday your breast and behind looks good and firm? Do I have to hear your wife is not giving you or refuse to use her mouth to service you at home? That is one of the reasons I quit 2 jobs because It made me as a WOMAN, I FELT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. A LOT OF US WORK VERY HARD TO KEEP A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS AND A LOT OF US LIKE MYSELF, HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE TO PAY THE RENT OR PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, ME, I PAY MY RENT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.
    • @ Let's be FAIR. Good question (03/10/2020, 12:36) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ask,.the politicians, or you can try wasting your time asking labour....I agree 100,% with.you. Good question. Why can't every employee get hours.?
      • Let’s be Fair again (03/10/2020, 16:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Who are you going to complain to and get results? The 2 jobs that I mentioned I quit, the 2 boss is always talking about who they know and who they are sitting eating and drinking with. But you know what? I am going to go on fighting to survive and see the evil doers and the ones that is taking advantage of the weak fall and stumble in their own dirty paths. The higher power will take care of them.
    • Hon Caines Pls listen (03/10/2020, 12:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      If u all do u all Job..Stop trying to be friends with these employers and make them do the right thing,,, all laid off staff must get hours....While businesses operating, not some getting plenty hours while others sit at home, Then most people will manage, to buy food and pay bills....Make sure they aint fire anyone or make anyone redundant without a written agreement agreed to by the staff. Because some employers just wicked....They hate Us for been born here, they will send us home first...Solve this problem..
  • Struppz (03/10/2020, 12:16) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    It got those who aint!!! N thewicked land lord know that but still them want their money in full!!!!!!
    • Rolled Eyes (03/10/2020, 12:36) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Maybe because they still have an obligation to pay the bank in full!!!!!
  • Alchemist (03/10/2020, 12:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s not that simple. Factor in minimum wages, not working a full 40hr work week.

    You paint with a Broad Brush on this one Honorable
  • land lord (03/10/2020, 13:25) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    i have tennants i treat them goog but they started to do stupidness at tge apartment I talk to them and they takinh it for a joke like the house is theirs well i had enough of their story and they are lying each time you have to talk to them, I am not taking that crap no more I am putting them out and if their actions do not chande by the end of november note they will be facing a law suit for not adhering to rules tennants you need to stop what you are doing and listern to your land lord because the bext land lord will not put up with what you are doing I am ready to put out tennants if they donot clean up their act by that time and i donot care what they say.
    • To land lord (03/10/2020, 19:53) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      LOL you sound like a real fool lol no wonder the tenants not studying you. Stop coming on here chatting crap , if you really are a landlord , then you should know what to do instead of coming on here looking ATTENTION
  • E. Leonard (03/10/2020, 13:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VI as the rest of the world is living through the most devastating pandemic since the 1918 Spanish Flu—-the omnipresent Coronavirus (Covid-19). Covid-19 has adversely impacted VI residents lives and livelihoods. It has adversely impacted tourism, a major employer. Hundreds have either been laid off, furloughed and have taken a cut in pay. The change in employment status created difficulty(s) in many not being able to pay their rent on time. The inability to pay rent on time also pose challenges for landlords, eg, making ends meet, paying mortgages.....etc. What are tenants to do?

    Everyone needs food, shelter and clothing as a basic for surviving. Covid-19 created a negative externality for both tenants and landlords; it is a situation beyond both the control of both landlords and tenants. As such, evicting tenants should not be the initial option. However, as the Hon Maduro-Caines advised, tenants need to work with landlord to explain their situation and structure payment arrangements.

    Moreover, government has a role to play in creating a somewhat of a win-win perhaps for both tenants and landlords. It can place a moratorium on evictions, waive late fees on rent payments, provide temporary unemployment , provide temporary housing allowance to the truly needy(paid directly to landlords at no more than current written contract)......etc. It should noted that Covid-19 has impacted Government revenue intake and it can only provide short time assistance. Government with the revenue decline still has to deliver other services, eg, collect garbage, provide police, healthcare, education, fire services, water, wastewater, road......etc services.

    True, too many occupants in a building stresses the utilities(is septic system), hasten deterioration, overcrowding parking areas......etc. However, these are difficult times.
  • Optimist (03/10/2020, 14:47) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    "Greed will be our demise, why not have the local banks ,landowners, business owners, TENANTS ,come to some sort of agreement " . We must bare in mind some if these tenants been out of jobs since March.
    The island recently started the operation of a few organizations; hence I am sure they were living and paying rent with whatever they had saved.There must be a better way to deal with our plight.
    Treat this as a natural disaster, because whenever the real disaster hit us, all we will have is each other to depend on.
    • Redstrom (06/10/2020, 20:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Optimist, Your analysis of the situation seems to have valid reasonsand good structure of solutions. I never seems to understand why people have such strange relationship with people living in their apartments. It is an easy solutions, if you deal with them deviously , they will do the same. It is well known that many people go to church in this community but fail to practise the things the bible teaches. Do unto others as you will have them do unto you. I suggest you build good relationship with your tenants, they are your brothers and sisters of the Caribbean region, treat them good. Even the bible acknowledges you to do so.

      Sometimes I believe its the strange things of evil that pop out of some people our mouths that break the relationship. I read sometime ago a woman wanted a tenant out her apartment and went on face book and state how they need to go, and if they do not go , she will burn the apartment down. I then start to wonder if the apartment belongs to the tenant. She was so full of anger, it confused her and mentally distrut her action. She did not realized this decreased her ability to rent to the right people. I love your comment.
  • hypocrites (03/10/2020, 15:05) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Landlords pay ayo mortgages/insurances/property tax And fix the damn homes since Irma damaged. Y she not out here rallying this???? Collecting rent and still not paying ayo debt to society we overstand it. Ayo want we “expats” hold the strain so ayo can live good and comfortable because ayo from here. Ok. Reason ayo want Jaspert gone cuz he seeing straight through ayo wutless and twisted ways!
  • Outfit (03/10/2020, 15:37) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lord who make that outfit Mrs Caines??
  • u (03/10/2020, 17:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you are a good paying tenent I am sure d landlord would be so hard because for d month of September most definitely it was rough remember d curfew 12.clocks but for this month thing will be different
  • Norris Turnbull (03/10/2020, 21:27) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ms. Caines is right.
  • two way street (04/10/2020, 11:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about landlords treating there tenants with respect and stop increasing rent every three months and when tenants move out they don't wants to pay tenants there security deposit after weeks month of been out and apartment was given back in good condition but still finding faults because they don't wants to pay
  • Hmm (04/10/2020, 13:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about the Government Funded Affordable Housing that has only been talked about for decades? Government CANNOT tell private individuals what to do with their property to which they receive no subsidies from Government for while in the same breathe telling landowners to pay up their taxes within the set time frame
  • taxman (04/10/2020, 15:31) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Maybe if the landlords cant afford to pay their mortgages they should go get a job to pay for it? They are happy to charge silly rent rates for substandard properties knowing that tenants have few options to choose from. No tenant forced them to take a mortgage that they cannot afford to pay
  • @taxman (04/10/2020, 20:45) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    From the time I left my parent's house, I either have to pay ren or
    pay the bank after I built my own house. It seems like you people think Land lords are responsible to keep a roof over your heads.
    • Not at All (05/10/2020, 08:18) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      and landlords seem to think tenants are responsible for paying their mortgages. Here's an idea, maybe dont build or buy a house you cant afford to pay for. i am fortunate enough to own an additional property but I know i can afford to pay for it whether I have a tenant or not. Too many people over extend their finances out of greed and it bites them in the behind when the people at the bottom cant pay any more. Its Foolishness
    • taxman (05/10/2020, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      and it seems landlord think that tenants are responsible for mortgage payments. If you cannot afford to pay a mortgage on a second property that is let to tenants, then maybe you should sell it? Why should a tenant be expected to cover a landlord's financial irresponsibility. Maybe this will mean more properties will have to be put on the market and allow others onto the property ladder rather than having a few landlords holding all of the properties
      • @taxman (05/10/2020, 23:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        And who cannot afford to pay their rent get out the people house.That way the Landlord would be happy to pay their mortgage if it is empty. A lot of people want to live free. But when they get their own they not goingto let anybodylive in it free. Another thing expats braging about they only here so that they can build their mansion back home. So ou want to live free here so you can set up yourself back in yourhomelandan sa
  • Vg man (05/10/2020, 07:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wy you don't say landlords you collecting your rent fix your apartment


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