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A landlord from Maine, United States, decided not to collect rent from his tenants for April and has asked other landlords to do the same, considering the financial hardship the COVID-19 pandemic may bring.
Nathan Nichols, a landlord, recognized his privilege as an owner in making his decision to give rent relief to his tenants, as per his Facebook post on March 13.
“COVID19 is going to cause serious financial hardship for service and hourly workers around the country. I own a two unit in South Portland and all of my tenants are in this category,” said Nichols. “Because I have the good fortune and of being able to afford it and the privilege of being in the owner class, I just let them know I would not be collecting rent in April.”
Nichols also addressed other landlords in his post and asked them to consider the situation.
“I ask any other landlords out there to take a serious look at your own situation and consider giving your tenants some rent relief as well,” he said.
The money Nichols makes on the property comes in the form of equity, as per News Center Maine on March 13, which he did not renounce. The money that does not go into mortgage, tax and insurance goes to maintenance and renovations.
Since Nichols suspended rent for April, his replacement plans for the property’s front porch would now have to wait.
“All I really did was to add some time to when the front porch gets replaced in exchange for some much needed relief now,” he said in the report.
“I expect that many landlords are not in a position to do this, but there are certainly others who are,” he added. “I hope that other landlords, especially if they are earning income from their tenants, will consider returning some of it in this time of need.” Cody Cepeda/JB
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