In May, we sent the following letter to Woonstad negotiating cancellation of the rent increase, rent reduction and/or rent cancellation for those who asked for rent postponement for the Covid19 lockdown:
Dear Woonstad,
We are a newly formed and growing group of tenants who rent from Woonstad properties in the Charlois area of Rotterdam Zuid. We have come to collectively negotiate with Woonstad, to seek solutions to the rental crisis which we are facing in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
RIVM announced a nationwide lockdown on March 16th, resulting in an overnight loss of income as the work which many of us depend upon; zero hour contracts, freelance, catering, events or hospitality work etc. was immediately cancelled or suspended.
As such, rent postponment as proposed by Woonstad, is not an appropriate solution to the current crisis as it does not account for the incomes lost during the lockdown period. Furthermore, Woonstad’s recent decision to increase rent from 2%-6.6% on the grounds of yearly inflation (and to help fund existing Woonstad renovation projects such as those on Wolphaerstraat) only further exacerbates the issues that we are currently facing as a collective whole. This is inconceivable when Woonstad already collects significant annual profits every year.
To further understand the needs of our neighbours, we delivered 500 surveys to the Charlois area to ask about their ability to afford rent and other basic ammenities during the Covid19 pandemic: https://framaforms.org/huurders-charlois-1589039305 Our results show that many cannot afford rent for the affected period, some are already struggling to pay for food and basic ammenities such as gas and electricity. The promise of Government subsidies such as TOZO, WW and NOW, to help offset these arrears are for many still under review. It is uncertain whether we will all be eligible, and whether the subsidies will be sufficient enough to cover the income lost from this period.
Woonstad tenants therefore, cannot be forced into an impossible situation of accrued debt of which there is no forseeable recovery. We ask for Woonstad to provide adequate solutions which effectively addresses the situation that Covid19 presents to us. We ask for long-term ethical measures which prepares for prolongued seasons of lockdown, and rents which adjusts to the economic uncertainty that Covid19 places upon us all. As the Netherlands enters into the worst economic recession in recent history, we ask for Woonstad to come together with Huurders Charlois, to find solutions for the financial strain which the pandemic will inevitably place upon us all (https://nos.nl/artikel/2328385-cpb-vreest-diepe-recessie-economie-kan-krimpen-met-7-7-procent.html)
We want to negotiate with Woonstad for:
– Immediate cancellation on rent increases
– Widespread long-term rent reduction which accurately reflects the long-lasting impacts of the oncoming recession
– Rent cancellation, for those who asked for rent postponement for the Covid19 lockdown.
We seek ethical and sustainable solutions which will enable us to collectively weather the uncertainties which the Covid19 pandemic has produced. We are open to negotiations and look forward to your response at huurderscharlois@gmail.com.
Best wishes from us all.
Sincerely,
Huurders Charlois