Pune: While students have returned to their native places, their rented flats have been left 'unoccupied' for the last two months, but flat owners are demanding the full rent. Students are insisting, that they should be given concession due to the financial crisis that has arisen because of the coronavirus outbreak. A spike in cases of conflicts between students and house owners has been observed, with many tenants and owners rushing to seek legal remedy.
Due to the stringent lockdown imposed in the city from March onward, all schools, colleges, coaching classes, hotels, mess, libraries and tea stalls were closed. Students staying in rented houses faced a lot of difficulties in arranging essential items and continuing their studies. Due to this reason, most of them returned to their native places but did not vacate the rented flats or houses. Owners too did not object to it, since the rent for the month of march was paid in advance. April 10 onward, owners started calling the students and asked them to pay the rent for the next month. The housing department of the state government also asked the house owners to consider the situation, and allow students to keep their rented property on basis of deferred payments. The real clashes, however, started when the lockdown was relaxed, students did not return and did not pay the rent. Some owners have asked the students to vacate their property on the pretext of doing repair and maintenance or painting work.
A college student, Bhakti Deshpande, said, "Due to the lockdown situation, I decided to move back to my native place. House owner had demanded full rent but I discussed my financial problems with them. After that, the owner asked me to pay only 50 per cent of the rent amount. That was a major relief for me."
Mahesh Bade representative of MPSC student's rights said, "Most of the students staying in the city on rent have come from the rural parts of the state. Their economic condition is not good. In such cases, the students and house owners should come together, discuss a way out, and solve the crisis situation. If owners are not heeding to student's demands, then we will stand by our students."
"The coronavirus outbreak has affected everyone. In cases where the tenant is financially stressed, the house owner should understand and give him concession. Where the house owner is in problem, the tenants should find a way out by discussing it," said Sanjay Sanghvi, city president of the association of real estate agents.
