In the media, reports show that Bonaire’s local government will tighten the thumb screws at homeowners, who have late payments on their long lease rent. It is unclear whether OLB will do so in cases where tenants have previously refused to pay a controversial increase in the leasehold rent, but still pay the old amount. If these cases are also addressed, that is not right and Unkobon can help people. What about it exactely? Since 2011, the rent has increased significantly for most of the tenants. In many cases, this increase was legally unjustified, and after action by Unkobon this increase was reversed by the government. So far, so good. In a large number of other cases, it is still highly doubtful and controversial whether the government can lawfully enforce the increase. For those doubtful cases, the local government has not reversed the increase. In 2015 and 2016, Unkobon proposed the Bestuurscollege to go to court and ask for clarification.
It should be 100% clear whether the government by law is allowed to impose an increase on its citizens or not? Despite Unkobon insistence and even insitence of the National Ombudsman, until now the BC did not react in substance. In fact, they did not react about this issue at all.
Many of the tenants who have these doubtful cases, on advice from Unkobon and lawyers, have not paid the disputed increase and have continued to pay the old lease payments. This is a correct procedure pending a solution to such a dispute.
And then, OLB suddenly comes to an accelerated collection of lease? The question is what OLB aims at with this accelerated collection. Is it all about tackling ‘ordinary’ defaulters? Or is it going to enforce those controversial increases in individual cases, instead of getting together with Unkobon for a good solution to this issue for the whole group of citizens of Bonaire?
Unkobon still does not want to believe that the BC will be serving such a backdoor approach. Unkobon hopes that OLB yet will be in touch to once and for all resolve this arbitrary dispute over the leaseholds that has been dragging on for years … but through the front door and open visor.