Tenants Charlois is a new group, located in the south of Rotterdam, founded by tenants of the housing corporation Woonstad. Members of the group are currently facing acute financial difficulties due to COVID-19. Despite the crisis, Woonstad continues to demand that tenants pay their rent. The Residential City regulations state that the solution for those who cannot pay consists of requesting a temporary postponement and/or applying for government subsidies.

In a open letter published online, however, the group states
that not everyone can receive support through subsidies and that suspension leads to debt accumulation through loss of income. In addition, the recent rent increase for even more uncertainty.

In the national context, we see that this position is not unique. The Kunstenbond and the Platform BK have published a statement explaining that "without prospects of payment there is no point in delaying payment of the rent".

BPW Rotterdam (facebook / twitter) supports this initiative as a necessary step in finding solutions that work for tenants. Rent reduction and rent waiver are real solutions. On May 19, 17:00, BPW Rotterdam will hold an online office hour.

How can you help?

1. Share this article or the open letter via social media and your network of friends and neighbors to spread the word. The group uses Twitter (https://twitter.com/HCharlois) and Facebook
   (https://www.facebook.com/huurders.charlois.5).
2. Mail the group to tenantscharlois@gmail.com if you want to join.

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-ENGLISH-

Rent postponement is not a solution: tenants in Charlois, Rotterdam organize themselves

Tenants Charlois is a new group based in the south of Rotterdam set up by tenants of the housing corporation Woonstad. Members of the group currently face acute financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19. Despite the crisis, Woonstad continues to demand that the tenants pay their rent. Woonstad regulations state that the solution for those who cannot pay is to ask for temporary postponement and/or apply for government subsidies.

However, in an open letter published online, the group states that not everyone can receive support through subsidy and that postponement leads to debt build-up due to loss of income. Furthermore, the recent rental increase creates even more uncertainty. 

In the national context, we can see that this position is not unique. The Kunstenbond and Platform BK have published a statement which explains that “without a perspective of being paid, there is no point in delaying the payment of rent”.

BPW Rotterdam (facebook / twitter) supports this initiative as a necessary step for finding solutions that work for tenants. Rent reduction and rent cancellation are real solutions. On the 19th of May 17:00 BPW Rotterdam organizes an online housing meeting.

How can you help?

1. Share this article or the open letter via social media and your network of friends and neighbors in order to spread the word. The group are using Twitter (https://twitter.com/HCharlois) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/huurders.charlois.5).

2. Mail the group at Huurscharlois@gmail.com if you would like to join.