R. Ashok, a revenue
minister from Karnataka, said that landlords could not charge rent from
tenants during the lockout. He said that action will be taken against
the landlords if they force the tenants to vacate the property due to
non-payment of rent.
"In this epidemic situation, action should
be taken against the house owners in which owner can be imprisoned for
up to one year or more under the National Disaster Management Authority," as he said.
However, if the order was not only for
tenants belonging to economically weaker sections or people of the
society, it did not make it clear.
Although the relationship between a tenant and an owner falls under the Karnataka Rent Control Act, 2001,
the government may issue an amendment or an ordinance under the Act to
chart instructions regarding collection of rent and eviction.
According to tax experts, Fiat can be
challenged in court. Ashish K Singh, partner at law firm Capstone Legal,
said, "In my opinion, the exercise of powers under the National
Disaster Management Act for rent-related disputes would be challenged
before the High Court or the Supreme Court." "It is clear that the
NDMA's mandate does not cover the relationship between landlord and
tenant."
The state government has taken cues from Singapore passing the COVID-19 Act 2020,
which allows a tenant unable to pay rent and other dues under
commercial leases from rental payment obligations for six months Seeks
temporary relief.
According to property brokers, many
prospective house buyers have postponed their plans to buy the property,
which has boosted demand for rented houses in Bangalore.
Potential house buyers are expected to moderate prices and home loan rates.