Rent a vacation in New York, or let live for free: realtor's opinion

In connection with the massive temporary closure of many businesses and as a result of the loss of constant income, voices are heard more and more often that you need to enter a vacation to pay for rental housing. Like, I lost my income and I have nothing to pay for the apartment. Give me quarantine for free. Since I am engaged in real estate, I know that some tenants have already sent letters that there is nothing to pay them.

The Rent Freeze movement is also actively growing on the Internet. Stop Paying Rent signs appear on buildings and on roads. Feeling the mood of the masses, some politicians have already supported the idea of ​​introducing rental vacations at the legislative level.

And here I would like to say a few words on this topic. I will appeal first of all to those who wish to receive free housing.

On the subject: New York May Introduce 90-Day 'Vacations' for Paying Rent

An order from the Governor of New York to impose quarantine was issued on March 20. Prior to this, although coronavirus was on the agenda, all businesses worked fine. Now is only the beginning of April, and after the introduction of quarantine only 2,5 weeks have passed. So I would like to ask: "Where is the money, Zin?"

If we talk about March, then there were only 11 days of quarantine. How did it happen that, having lost revenue in just 1/3 of a month, already in early April there is no money to pay for the rent? And how did you live before that?

In life, dozens of scenarios can happen when you can lose income for several weeks. They fired, the company went bankrupt, lost the order they were counting on, etc. Banal flu can be put to bed for 1,5-2 weeks. Did you require free housing for this time?

Maybe someone heard that just for cases of temporary loss of income you need to create some financial pillow? Experts say there should be at least 6 months of expenses in stock. I understand that for some 6 months there are many, but why did problems appear after 2,5 weeks without income ?!

On the subject: 7 things New York City tenants need to know during the COVID-19 pandemic

I saw a comment on Facebook about the $ 1200 check expected from the state: "Ooo, $ 1200 is a new iPhone!"

I really hope that the commentator with finances is doing well, and the new iPhone is the only thing that you can spend the money that fell from the sky. But my experience and inner feeling suggests that it is precisely such people who have financial problems in the first place.

This means that coronavirus has nothing to do with it. The problem is deeper - complete inability, and most importantly, unwillingness to manage their finances. In recent years, the US economy has been growing steadily, salaries have been rising, unemployment has been at a record low. And at the same time, according to statistics, about 70% of Americans do not have a financial reserve, even in the amount of a modest $ 1000.

And finally, separately on the topic of real estate. And why should housing be free? Try to go to the supermarket with the same argument: lost income due to coronavirus, give two baskets of food. And start a company on the Internet FreeFood with the requirement to start distributing food for free. Let's look at the results.

The original column is published on Facebook page of Dmitry Stasyuk. ForumDaily New York is not responsible for the content of blogs and may not share the views of the author.