While we’re all sitting at home wondering when our businesses will be allowed to re-open I am constantly hearing and seeing the same question. What are we doing about Rent? As I understand it, every landlord will likely handle this differently and perhaps their stance will vary tenant to tenant. Having said that, it would be wise for all tenants to unite together and form a common response. Our industry has been labeled non-essential. As such we have been forced into staying at home and shutting down our business.
The way I see it, these landlords and their buildings are also non-essential businesses as some have proved by not allowing tenants into their buildings unless it's to pick up essential items. Office buildings are providing a service, the ability to use their offices to conduct business. They are currently forbidden to provide this service as mandated by our State laws and therefore should not be able to enforce collecting rent at this time.
We are all suffering in having our incomes halted and we should all be in this together. The landlords should play their part too and not expect an income either. I think for now everyone should hold tight and wait this out to see where we are once we come out of lock down. There’s no reason to make any payments at this time.
-Stressed Jeweler
