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Tenants Facing Loss of Income May Unilaterally Defer Rental Payments

21 April 2020 – The Portuguese government has passed a temporary measure whereby tenants who lose more than 20% of their income, and whose effort rate then exceeds 35%, may defer their rental payments during the state of emergency. Those same tenants may choose to defer their entire payment or just a part, at their discretion.

The tenants defer the rent until one month after the end of the state of emergency by submitting documentation proving such a loss of income. At that point, the renter must inform up to five days before the rental payment date.

The government, however, is concerned that families may end up accumulating debts that will be difficult to pay back at a later date. To avoid such a situation, the government recommends the use of loans from the IHRU, which have much more advantageous repayment conditions.

Original Story: Economia Online – Rita Neto

Translation/Summary: Richard D. Turner