What landlords should do during COVID-19 period

The COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm from January this year, and by mid-March, most nations began to go on lockdown, up till May ending.

What this means is that besides government and some big public or private firms workers, a lot of folks running small businesses may not be able to generate income, hence surviving will be hard, even after the relax of the lockdown. Throughout this year, business will be dull and millions will loose their jobs.

In the West, the government paid for house and office rent for up to 3 months for its citizens, but in Nigeria, this has not happened and it may never happen. We appeal to landlords to have mercy on their tenants (both business and residential) for the next 1-2 years.

This is the period we need to show maximum love. We are not saying the tenants shouldn’t pay their rent again, but the landlords can collect rent monthly, quarterly or bi-annually as opposed to the yearly or biennially rent collection which is common in our country.

We know most landlords also need the money to survive this period, but they should understand this trying period. Some of you have tenants that have been steadfast for the past 5-10 years. Those with enough houses can give 3months free rent to tenants and still collect quarterly house or office rent for the next 1-2 years. This will ease the burden on the citizens, because the post-COVID-19 era may be very tough economy wise.

The COVID-19 is still ravaging the world and its end no one can predict, but we believe that within the next one year, a vaccine will be available. This tragedy has never happened for a long time and it may not happen during our life time again, so let’s be patient and show maximum love. As long as we are alive, we shall still make this money, but for the years 2020 and 2021, let’s sacrifice. The government should intercede; they should dialogue with landlords on behalf of tenants.

David Atta, Abuja [email protected]