81% of Families in Kathmandu Unable to Pay Rents: Study

A recent survey ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Livelihood’ by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has revealed tribulations and trials of people during the crisis.

Uncertainty loomed over the families in the metropolis due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Families living in rented houses exclaimed that they were on the verge of being evicted by their landlords as they could not afford to pay the monthly rents.

According to the Survey Findings

• 29% were reeling under stress
• 81% were unable to pay rents and meet daily expenses
• 56% took loans to meet the daily expense
• Over 11% were planning to return to their home districts
• 45% were confident of finding a job as per their skill and qualification
• 7% reported that the COVID-19 had fully impacted their income
• 3% said their income had decreased by more than half
• 20% said there was a minor impact on their income

According to the KMC, the Urban Planning Commission conducted the survey to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the general public and informal sector workers.

The Commission surveyed as many as 626 respondents (35.7% females and 64.3% males) aged above 18 years from all 32 wards of KMC in May and June.

In view of the ongoing crisis, the KMC has decided to exempt all businesses from the penalty on tax dues for FY 2019/20.

The KMC has also proposed to grant 75% exemption to hotels and resorts on property tax for FY 2020/21, on the condition that they settle the applicable tax of last fiscal.

Moreover, the house owners, who offer at least one-month rent waiver to tenants, will enjoy a 10% exemption on annual rental tax for fiscal 2020/21.