Jacqueline, 92, forced to move: 'It's the worst shock of my life'

In Luxembourg City, four tenants – women aged between 66 and 92 – are being forced to vacate their building. For Jacqueline, who has lived there for nearly 50 years, and her neighbour Tekla, who must leave by 31 January, the ordeal has been nothing short of devastating.

Moving home is always a challenge, even for the young and well-supported. For Jacqueline, aged 92, the experience has been traumatic. Without children or close family, she is facing a forced relocation that she describes as "the worst shock" of her life. Despite her strong-willed nature, the Belgian pensioner has struggled to cope with the situation.

She has lived in the same apartment in Luxembourg City’s Merl district for nearly half a century. "This isn’t just a building; it’s a village. There were four of us tenants, all women, and we knew each other very well! We played cards, helped one another, dressed up for Halloween... We weren’t just neighbours; we were friends," she says with a heavy heart.

In late October, Jacqueline received a notice informing her that her lease would end in May, giving her six months’ notice before eviction. This process, termed "déguerpissement" in Luxembourg, is the equivalent of a formal eviction procedure.

Tekla, her neighbour on the floor above, has been given a much shorter deadline. Having lived in the building for six years, the 66-year-old Icelandic-American has been given just three months notice and must leave by 31 January. For Tekla, the timeframe is unworkable. "I can’t find housing in Luxembourg in three months; it’s almost impossible", she says, distressed.

"I can't find housing in Luxembourg in three months – it's nearly impossible!" Tekla says anxiously.

"I cry all the time. It’s incredibly stressful", Tekla shares. "I’m self-employed as a hairdresser and also take on odd jobs – babysitting, dog-sitting – to make ends meet. I work hard, but I barely earn the minimum wage." Aware of her limited appeal in Luxembourg’s competitive rental market, she adds, "I don’t understand how it’s so easy for landlords in Luxembourg to evict tenants under the pretext of renovations."

Major renovations make living there 'impossible'

In the eviction notice, the landlord cited "serious and legitimate reasons" for terminating the leases, stating that the scale of the renovations would make living in the apartments impossible. The proposed works include plumbing repairs, electrical upgrades, a new heating system, and the installation of modern kitchens and bathrooms. Such extensive renovations are likely to allow the landlord to significantly increase rents.

Tekla has already started packing her things, without even knowing where she will be living in a few days.

"When I arrived, I felt like I was in Hollywood! I had never seen such a large, bright apartment," recalls Jacqueline.

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Jacqueline acknowledges that her rent is unusually low for Luxembourg. Her spacious 140 m², three-bedroom apartment with a bright living room costs €1,200 a month, far below market rates. "I know the rent was affordable. But they could’ve just raised it – we were willing to pay double," she says.

She has also invested heavily in the property over the years, paying for improvements typically covered by landlords. "I installed a reinforced front door, double-glazed windows, electric shutters, and even automated the garage door. I still have all the receipts", she says.

Tekla’s apartment, while equally spacious, is less modern, with single-glazed windows in the living room and poor insulation. During a recent visit, the cold was palpable despite the heating being on.

'I must wait for people to die to enter a retirement home'

The two other tenants, aged 84 and 86, have managed to find alternative accommodation, leaving Jacqueline and Tekla alone in the building. The pair have sought legal advice and other support, but their efforts to fight the eviction have been unsuccessful.

As of 23 January, Tekla had not yet secured a new home. "I have no idea where I’ll live in a week", she says, visibly worried.

Jacqueline, who lost her partner and has no children, fears leaving the building and her "neighbours," who had become friends.

Jacqueline, in desperation, has enquired about moving to a care home. For a fiercely independent woman, the prospect is heartbreaking. However, even this option is fraught with challenges. "I’m on a waiting list. I hate to say it, but I have to wait for two people to die before I can get a spot", she explains. With her deadline looming in mid-May, she fears what will happen if she cannot find a solution in time.

'They won't find equivalent housing in Luxembourg'

When contacted, the property manager representing the landlord emphasised the disparity between the tenants’ situations. In a written response, they explained: "The two tenants’ circumstances are not comparable. Jacqueline has lived in her 137.67 m² apartment since 1976 and pays a very low rent of around €1,200, while Tekla pays less than €1,000 for a similar apartment. These rents are exceptionally low, and it’s clear that these ladies won’t find equivalent housing in Luxembourg. We hope they appreciated the landlord’s efforts over the years."

The manager also highlighted the broader challenges of the Luxembourg rental market, stating, "The current difficulties are not our responsibility. The situation is even more dramatic for families with children. Rising rents are primarily due to high demand, the housing crisis, and elevated interest rates, which have slowed new construction."

Additionally, they stressed the need to meet environmental standards through energy-efficient renovations. "A complete renovation of the building, after 50 years, has become essential. This decision requires tenants to leave, but we are ensuring their departure happens under the best possible conditions."

Video report in French