It’s April 1st and many residents across the territory are questioning whether they should pay bills in light of the coronavirus and the unpredictability that lies ahead.
As it stands many residents are trying to hold on to their monies due to the uncertainty and the crippling imprint the virus promises to leave on the economy.
According to Minister of Labor, Honorable Vincent Wheatley “hundreds” of unemployment claims have been filed as a result of the crisis. Many businesses have laid off a significant amount of staff; some company-wide.
One resident told us “it’s gotten to the point where I really cannot pay rent because doing so would jeopardize my ability to pay food or basically survive. I was laid off and there’s no incoming money. What am I to do to take care of my family”
Luckily, there was some relief on water use. A few weeks ago, overseeing Minister, Honorable Kye Rymer promised that no charges will be constituted for the use of water over the next 30 days. That pledge runs from March 19th to April 19, 2020 and also sees a moratorium on disconnections and persons who were already disconnected, were reconnected for this period.
However, decisions on rent, mortgages and other utilities have not been made in the BVI.
When contacted on these concerns, Premier of the BVI Andrew Fahie said “a full review of all these and other concerns are is being done and a way forward to assist our people during this difficult time is forthcoming. We have been there for our people from the inception and we will not leave the side of our people now.”
On March 13th, USVI’s Governor Albert Bryan declared a state of emergency which allows the government to access special funding, freeze prices and put a moratorium on mass gatherings.
The Governor said “Landlords cannot evict tenants during this period of emergency.” Provisions of the VI Code Title 28, Chapter 13, Section 281 dealing with landlord-tenant issues have been temporarily suspended in the government’s effort to prevent people from losing their apartment homes due to job loss over coronavirus shutdowns.
Each American, including Virgin Islanders also stand to benefit from a sweeping $2 billion federal coronavirus stimulus package enacted last week. They will inherit a one-time payout of $1,200.
In larger countries a 90-day moratorium on evictions was ordered as a lifeline to people who cannot pay rent and are worried about loosing their homes during the crisis. Other countries you see a strict ban on evictions for 6o days.
What does this means for landlords?
While tenants will be protected for at least 90 days from eviction, landlords have not yet been provided similar protection. However, Governments have been urging banks to waive mortgage payments for three months, giving landlords relief. This has happened many times in the past
In the absence of a stimulus package and bills now due, many wonder what is the next step in the BVI.