No concessions during the pandemic, Prague 10 raised rents – CT24 – Czech Television
Most of the rental flats in the Prague 10 district are inhabited by socially disadvantaged citizens, seniors, single women, low-income families, young residents of start-up flats, the disabled and others. Their situation may worsen this spring, as they have lost part of their income due to the coronavirus crisis. In addition, their municipal office has increased their rent by 20% since April 1, from 111 to 140 CZK per square meter.
The mayor of Prague 10 and senator Renata Chmelová (VLASTA coalition) explained that all new tenants who have concluded a contract since last year are concluding it for this amount. In the second phase, they proceeded to adjust the price for long-term tenants who live in the city district.
The “ten” on their new legs persisted even after the outbreak of the pandemic. According to the representative of Prague 10, Tomáš Pek (TOP 09), the increase in rent in the city district has not been discussed in advance and so far no analysis, no assessment of whether people from the lower social structures really live in flats. He will also not understand why the rent is the same in lucrative places as in much worse places.
The council did not want a rental solution
Pavlína Adamčíková, a single person, took the lead of the disillusioned tenants and came to a council meeting, where the opposition proposed to reduce the rent to the original price. However, this point did not get on the agenda either.
City officials refer residents of municipal flats to apply to the state for social support benefits or housing allowances. “But even the senator, who is another mayor and receives two salaries, says in the Senate that people will not achieve this, but still force their people in the top ten to this step,” is angry Prague 10 representative Ivana Cabrnochová (Mayors for Prague -Green for 10).
“Even when we were building the new rules, we not only contacted the Platform for Social Housing, but we also talked to the Labor Office, with the director, and we confirmed that the price, the 140 crowns, is absolutely right. And of course, a lot of these people have contributions, or we use the institute of special purpose, for example, the money for rent goes directly to the account of city districts, “Petr Beneš (Czech Pirate Party) explained the deputy mayor of Prague 10.
However, Mrs. Adamčíková thinks that the tenant in this case will basically serve as an intermediary, which is only used to transfer money from one cash register to another.
A critical voice then comes from the president of the Trade and Tourism Association, Tomáš Prouza. The system is said to be unprepared to increase the number of people drawing benefits, they are not officials, they are not on the money in the budget, applications would be discussed for months, not days.
The crisis did not change the town hall’s decision either
City Hall decided to increase the rent in January, with the new regulation coming into force on April 1. It did not change its decision, although in the meantime a coronavirus crisis broke out and the government approved a moratorium banning rent increases. However, this moratorium came into force only after the town hall increase was demonstrated. The price moratorium on rent from flats is to serve as protection for those tenants who, even in the current difficult times, manage to pay rent.
But the Ministry of the Interior had already taken measures, thanks to which the municipality even had the opportunity to reduce rents during the crisis.
Why did the City Hall of the Prague 10 district go as the only district in Prague in the opposite direction? “We are well aware that these are unpopular measures in a way, but the only motivation for doing so is to really move towards sustainable development,” the mayor explained.
However, it does not look like much for sustainable development in the apartments themselves. Reporters filmed in the apartment of senior Anna Danková, who complained about the cold during the winter months.
Deputy Mayor Beneš tried to reassure the tenants in a letter explaining that if they have any problems, they do not have to worry that they will move out, they will not receive any penalties, but they can take the distribution of rent for up to 18 months.
According to Cabrnoch, the repayment schedule will put tenants in a situation where they will be in debt, admit their debt and will have to repay it. But they will not reach for state support or they will come much later and will roll in front of them a debt that they would not normally have.
“We do not get money for housing as a municipality anywhere else. In this way, we receive them with the help of housing allowances that people receive, and in this way we can endure the housing stock for a long time, manage to invest in it and improve it, ”Beneš defends the proposal.
However, lawyer and economist Ivana Spoustová warns against such a procedure. “I am not a forecaster to say what will happen if other city districts and other municipalities in the Czech Republic follow such a case, but I cannot believe that in such a case the burden on the social system could be so great that it could to endanger it, or even to collapse it, “she said.
Increased rents from April apply. Dissatisfied residents, however, do not want to accept it. They write petitions, collect signatures and on June 22 we will try to succeed in the council again. Unsuccessfully again. They are planning another attempt at the end of the holidays.