Although the saying goes “tough times call for tough measures”, I think tough times should call for more compassionate measures! We are dealing with so much right now and I know a lot of you are getting terminated (make sure you get your rights because no one has the right to terminate you because of Covid-19 in Kuwait), or are stuck in other countries, or can’t see your families, and this is why it is important for all of us to be compassionate to everyone we meet.
As a lawyer, I am getting so many emails because of Covid-19 with serious concerns, one of the biggest concerns is not being able to pay rent and eviction. Let me make something clear, a lot of people can not pay rent right now, not just you. And yes, the law allows the landlord to evict you (we wrote about this way back), but we are also going through unprecedented times so here is my advice:
– Write a formal letter in Arabic letting the landlord know that because of the unprecedented circumstances you are not able to pay the rent currently. I will make a letter template available to you in a few days for free, just email me on [email protected]. Also, feel free to communicate with them verbally and openly, I have had clients that have done that and then gotten a discount or a few months free, don’t be afraid to ask, but no matter what the verbal conversation is, I highly suggest that you still send them a document in Arabic (a notice) stating that you can not pay.
– Do not leave the apartment, if you can not pay the rent, stay there anyways. No one has the right to kick you out by force and this is something I doubt is a priority for authorities at this current time. Still, send a letter though.
– Do not feel shy about reaching out to charities, so many people in Kuwait, Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis alike have donated to various funds to help out those in need, so reach out to charities, please.
– Be patient and stay positive. I have hope that the Kuwaiti government will draft new legislation to deal with issues such as eviction from properties very soon and in favor of the weaker party, the tenants. I applaud the Kuwaiti government for all they have done so far and I have so much faith in them.
Best of luck everyone and I hope you and your families are safe and sound at this time. Feel free to follow me on instagram @flattland where I will be posting about my experience and the law (among other things) or to ask me and my team for any advice during this time. We have provided a few spots for legal consultations for free every week so check ftl-legal.com for a quick call with one of our lawyers.
Take care and sending everyone lots of love.
Post by Fajer Ahmed – Legal Counsel
Have a Kuwait law related question? Email me at [email protected]
The legal opinions expressed in this post are those of the author Fajer. Opinions expressed by Mark or any other writer on mark248am1.wpenginepowered.com are those of the individual’s and in no way reflect Fajer’s opinion.
29 replies on “Kuwait Law: I can’t pay my rent during this pandemic”
Such a useful and impactful post by Fajer. Though thankfully I am not in this situation, but I can feel how soothing it will be for those that are!
Thanks Fajer for this info. The most important thing is that the expat writes it in Arabic, there is no excuse for someone living in Kuwait not to learn the official language or put an effort into learning.
Thank you for the great insight. Let’s all head to learn Arabic during the lockdown. You seriously cant tell me that’s your takeaway from this post.
Its funny how real estate owners are now the bad guys in this situation. People who rent need to know how to budget, save, and manage their economic situation. As a rule of thumb, rent shouldn’t surpass 30% of the household income, groceries should be around 15%. These two things are necessities, then comes the luxuries and the savings. In this current situation where employees are experiencing salary cuts and God forbid unemployment first they should cut down on luxuries. In addition, if they dont have no source of income what so every, savings will save the day. But no! Stay in your apartment and dont pay your rent because no one has the right to kick you out! Are you serious? The right thing to do is to express your current situation to the landlord and if they dont help out then look for an apartment that fits your budget.
Im pretty sure ppl that are in this situation right now aren’t spending on luxuries. Not everyones salary gives them the privilege to save and only spend 30% of their income on rent. Have you seen the rent prices in Kuwait lately? Some ppl pay 50% of their salaries on rent only. How about you put yourself in these ppls shoes for a minute and have some sympathy. Just cause its not happening to you and you can afford to save up for these situations (thankfully) doesn’t mean everyone can. Keep in mind a lot of expats send a big amount of their salaries to their families back home. Like Fajer said in her post, times are hard now and we should be compassionate to everyone around us
There is also rule of thumb that states, don’t run a business if you don’t have surplus to sustain a year. Don’t run a business if you can’t take care of your employees.
I hope that day never comes that u end up in the shoes of those suffering. But god forbid if it ever does, you will surely regret your mentality.
The rule of thumb you’re talking about is an idea generally put in place for new businesses where the first year you could be running your operation at a loss. But running at a loss doesn’t mean zero income, it means you’re generating income but not enough to cover all your costs. Even a new business now would have to close down and restart again after all of this is over since this pandemic wouldn’t be part of the operating at a loss formula.
True, that’s why it’s unprecedented for both the employer and employee. But my response was for a person who stated it’s hypocritical to sympathize on tenants . It’s unprecedented for everyone around the world.
And honestly speak, you and I both would know for a fact that any business or business owner will still have better means to survive through this pandemic.
Yes, I totally agree
yes, great idea during a pandemic is to move
love that logic
Wow, some of the most idiotic comments I have read. ‘Oh, you can’t pay? Shame on you and find something cheaper…’ This sounds like something written by an ignorant Western housewife whose husband is making a good salary.
Most Filipinos, Pakistanis and Indians are spending as little as they can here since they are sending all of their money home so their families can survive. This isn’t a savings game for them. Right now many of them are living locked in by armed policemen in Mahbola and Jleb AlShouk with no salary and barely any food and you are suggesting they look for a cheaper place. Oh yes my queen, sorry for living on a pittance.
Again with the mentality of “let only be sympathetic to tenants and not landlords”. A contract was signed and both parties have agreed on the rent. So if you’re having financial trouble you either pressure your self with your current apartment or look for a better option.
Doesn’t the same apply for the companies too. There was a contract between the employer and employee for a certain payroll. If the company is having financial trouble, why don’t they either put pressure liquidate their assets and pay their dues, or terminate their employees while paying all their dues.
Why again the mentality of sympathizing the ones who have means.
Assuming you are fortunate enough to be ina better situation. I hope a day never comes that you end up in the shoes of the less fortunate. God forbid if it does, you’ll surely regret your “mentality”
I kinda half agree with this.
My take on this whole landlord vs tenant situation is everyone wants the landlords to reduce the rents for the tenants because the tenants aren’t getting their salaries. My argument is what if the landlord needs the rent money to pay the salaries of his employees?
Everyone assumes the landlords are billionaires when most aren’t and a lot have other businesses which right now are probably costing them an arm and a leg in salaries and rent.
Very true. I totally agree with you. When everyone in my building were against paying the rent. My only stand was, I’ll pay the rent if I get my salary. If I don’t get my salary, I’ll owe the landlord my rent, but it will only be legally, where I’ll submit a employment case as a proof for the non payment , and once the case solves and I get my salary, I will pay my due.
Although the landlord didn’t agree to my suggestion, that was the only option I could offer.
Luckily I got my salary (although delayed), but I immediately paid my rent. Now I am still waiting for my salary for this month, if I get , I will pay, if not the landlord is free to go legal, and I am free to go legal with my company for non payment of salary. This way everyone is entitled to their dues.
Like fajer said, know the law.
But honestly it’s disgusting to see a lot of people who are doing well, and still continue to withdraw salaries with a stable living, are hesitant to pay. This is what annoys me. Because this is greed.
I strongly believe that at least the landlord can understand each tenants case in good conscience and give a fair relief for them and let the rest continue to pay.
The people here commenting have zero IQ…do you understand this is a worldwide emergency situation where people have no jobs and therefore no income? How do you “prepare” for that? Get off your high horse and contribute to society or shut that stupid hole in your face that you don’t deserve to have.
I suppose if your comment had a better tone, it would have reflected your a difference in your iq. Everyone is frustrated with an uncertain future, but it would be really appreciated if you had more compassion in your tone.
On a side note, your message made sense and you are right. People need to be more understanding and help each other in everyway possible.
People who had zero IQ spread this panic and forced global lockdown. 3 million infected worldwide with a fraction of fatalities is basically NOTHING. Even 20-30 million dead would still be less than those killed by drugs, roads and lions. It was only flowers and soon berries will sprout and you will see the real effect of that lockdown as global economy is basically destroyed and its a matter of few seasons before famine and REAL pandemic will wipe out 1-2 billion of idiots.
This is so true and exactly what I fear.
It will take us back by several decades where monopoly and survival of the fittest will b the winner.
It will go back to dictatorships.
Powerful nations will take over the others in the name of relief.
Unlike in the past, I don’t think USA or UK or France will go about colonizing but surely their will be new kingmakers.
Future is so uncertain, I feel my anxieties are shooting through the roof
If the tenants pay isn’t reduced due to this situation there’s no reason to lower their rent.
Legal(ish) question: can a landlord lower the rent only to some tenants who show him proof that their pay has been reduced?
what charities can help if we approach them?
Compassion is the key. However, this works both ways. While it maybe OK to expect compassion from the landlord, tenants to need to understand that the landlord has his own set of expenses. It is wrong on the part of the tenant to”demand” a reduction because of the current situation and not based on their situation. I know of people who have received their salary in full but have accused the landlord of being greedy because others in the building around us have had a sizeable discount given.
I’ve not received a salary for 2 months in a row and have not been fortunate to receive a reduction in rent, but that’s how life is … you get some, you lose some! Just happy that the rent aside, there has been very little else to worry about … specially on the health front.
And … no, I’m not anywhere near a top tier employee.
So far the best comment that I have read. We have been facing the same issue where I live. People who are still getting paid wanted to use this opportunity to save some money under the umbrella of helping the needy with this saving, which is totally pathetic + thinking that the owner being a Kuwaiti has lot. Whatever he has it’s his, who we to judge what he has
Yes there are genuine cases who have lost there jobs. My request with the owner was to at least waive off rent for these people, the owner brothers who are partners agreed for those 10 families, but the sister wasn’t willing to budge
They finally agreed on half rent. I have been doing my best by using the other half of my rent to pay my Neighbours rent
I hope we all sustain through this hard time.
If anyone needs to to translate anything. You can use google translate or type in google “translation companies in kuwait” it will give you a list of places in kuwait. It doesnt cost much to do and is done pretty fast.
By the way its Ramadan. No one will be want to be a bad guy this month maybe next month
hey Mark, off topic point:
I would highlight posts by other authors in different frame color or like the way you post the promoted stuff, because it gets a bit confusing when I read thinking it was written by you and then I see “as a lawyer..”
Hi,
How can we get our Kuwaiti landlord’s phone number, our Haris is not giving us the number and is saying that the owner has informed him not to share the number with tenants.
As we have new owner since February, we dont have the new contract and no idea from where to get his phone number, so that we can discuss about the rent issue with him directly.
Already submitted the letter both in English & Arabic to Haris, but not sure if he handed over the same to the Kuwaiti or not. We are also not sure if the Kuwaiti has already announced some reduction and the haris isn’t passing the information back to us.
.
Try PACI they generally have the info on the building owner when you punch in the PACI # for the home.
It is devastating to be in a situation where I wasnt able to pay the rent for 10 months because both my parents had a heart surgery just a year back before the pandemic. I am a 24 year old in visa 22 and was on probation at a pre-school and was supposed to change my residency with the school in last march (just around the time the pandemic started). My landlord called me every month asking for the rent even after me explaining the situation that I’m in. He filed a case against my mom( since the contract is on her name) last August and we weren’t even informed about it. Just yesterday I was informed by an authority at the hawally court that my mom has a case on her name and the final decision is on March 10th when I went there for some other work. I have to pay the landlord 3000 kd and yes I agree my mom has signed a contract accepting the monthly rent and yes I will pay him all the money I owe him when I get a job but cutting out electricity and water for more than 2 months and taunting me and my mom just because they can doesn’t make it right. If the tenants cannot pay the rent right now, make an agreement of some sort that you get your money back when they get paid. It’s a win win situation.