No rent until court verdict

Kuwaiti building tenants to seek compensation if forced outSandeep Singh GrewalContributorTenants of the Kuwaiti building have decided not to pay rent till court verdict in their case against the proposed demolition of the premises by the Manama Municipal Council.Paul Roy (name changed), one of the occupants, told the Tribune yesterday, “We are confused about the situation. My family arrived two days back from India and now we are searching for another flat. The building is 75 per cent occupied and there are shops as well. Where will all of them go?”A shopkeeper, who moved in the premises five months back, said, “I have invested money and am paying rent regularly. I learnt from newspapers that the council wants the building demolished. No one from the management has informed us or given notice to vacate. Most of the tenants have paid the rent for August and will not pay any rent till the issue is resolved. We plan to seek compensation of last-month rent if we are forced to move out.”A spokesperson from the management of the building, said, “We have filed a case and the court has given us 10 days. We have got all the documents and are waiting for the final verdict. There are some people who are spreading rumours to ruin our reputation.”