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The COVID-19 pandemic has given birth to a plethora of unprecedented problems, such as paying rent despite the fact that some workers and businesses have lost income during the quarantine period.

This also puts the lessors in a dilemma of whether or not they should ask tenants to pay rent.

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Can landlords force tenants to pay rent or evict them during GCQ? / Source: Pexels

This has become a hot topic ever since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) began, and one story about a COVID-19 survivor who was evicted by her landlady for not being able to pay rent was recently featured in 24 Oras.

Mary Glen Dosal was a freelance caregiver who caught COVID-19 back in March.

However, ever since beating the diseases, Mary Glen hasn't had much luck in finding a new job, making it impossible for her to pay rent.

Her landlady, on the other hand, argued that lessors are in need of income too, thus, she has a right to evict tenants who cannot pay rent.

So, what does the law say about paying rent and eviction during the general community quarantine (GCQ)?

According to Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Protection Group (DTI-PCG) Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, landlords cannot force tenants to pay rent or evict them during the GCQ.

Lessors can only ask tenants to pay rent 30 days from the lifting of the GCQ or when the tenant has resumed working or the tenants businesses has started operating again.

Moreover, Usec. Ruth Castelo said that tenants have an option to pay in six monthly installments after the 30-day grace period, and the only requirement needed is to give the landlord a promissory note or letter indicating the intent of the tenant to pay in installment.

For a more detailed explanation on the matter, watch Ivan Mayrina's full report on 24 Oras.

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

And for updates on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine, visit GMA's COVID-19 page and ECQ page.

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