Several municipalities across the country, including the capital and Esch-sur-Alzette, have chosen to waive rents for their commercial tenants during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. However, they cannot influence private landlords.
The proprietors' union has not recommended a rent holiday to its members - a decision which has drawn criticism from the government.
On Wednesday, the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, Lex Delles, appealed for solidarity towards businesses which have been affected by closures.
In particular, Delles focused his appeal on private landlords, saying he hoped they could come to an arrangement with their tenants.
LSAP president Yves Cruchten also criticised the proprietors' union, which had previously asked members not to show leniency in regards to rent.
However, the union has not been swayed, with president Georges Krieger refusing to change his position. He explained a drop in rent would confuse the entire flow of bills.
Cruchten argued that landlords could come to an agreement with the tenants, citing examples in which other landlords had pushed back deadlines or reduced the rent temporarily.
Krieger said landlords could evaluate on a case-by-case basis but refused to put out a general plea to suspend all rent payments, arguing this could damage businesses more than tenants.
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