Tenants facing financial struggles as a result of COVID-19 will have a number of options from their landlords for rent payments moving forward. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Deferring the rent

Landlords working with renters on payment options

Apr 7, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and property owners are ramping up their efforts to work with renters as they face the incoming challenge of late payments.

Last week marked the due date of monthly rent and other bills.

Linda Machniak, chief operating officer for the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, said how companies handle the next few weeks will have an impact on the rest of the spring.

“That was probably crunch time for some people, the next pay period by the next one for others,” she said.

Getting through this first week and working toward that next pay period is leading to more communication between landlords and tenants.

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Aru Davocol, property manager with Macro Properties, said she feels for tenants and the property company is working to help through either delayed payments or payment plans.

“Doing a deferral on some of the rent, just trying to understand their situation and where they can actually pay their rent,” Davocol said.

Residents waiting for employment benefits to arrive are a pressing concern, she said, as many require that funding right away to make rent on time. Davocol said Macro Properties is staying in constant communication with those renters.

“We try to touch base with them on a regular basis now, just to see where we can help,” she said.

The Battlefords Housing Authority is providing tenants opportunities to delay payments, which includes delaying this month’s rent by a week. General Manager Denis Lavertu said they will closely manage future deferrals or reductions on a case-by-case basis.

There’s also strategies for helping those stuck in their apartments. In a statement to tenants, Lavertu urged them to comply with public health measures and take all necessary steps to protect each other.

“If you don’t have any family of friends to help you with your daily needs, please let us know so we can help you to get the services you need,” he wrote.

Aru Davocol of Macro Properties says they are making sure tenants are aware of all options available to them. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Davocol said the organization’s head office is communicating with each province to possibly create a rent bank.

“Maybe this is a good way to distribute funds where people don’t have to go to a different program,” Davvocol said.

In the meantime, Macro Properties is directing tenants to available information from the province, which includes boosted childcare benefits and an isolation program for Saskatchewan workers.

“We’ve tried to provide as much information as possible to our tenants,” Davocol said. “They are aware of where they could get funding.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports