(Regarding unscrupulous tenants)

Dear Mr. President,
I AM a Guyanese living abroad for more than 40 years. My mother still owns property in Guyana; she has upkept the property and has rented it to a few tenants over the years.The current tenant requested some repairs to the house, but my mother declined due to the excessive costs of said repairs, which she could not afford at the time. The tenant immediately ceased paying rent, but has lived rent-free in my mother’s house, a 5-bedroom structure in one of the better neighbourhoods in Georgetown, for more than 10 years.

The tenant told the person responsible for rent collection that he would hold the rent in escrow until the repairs were done. He could have chosen to leave, but he stayed with ulterior motives in mind. I have heard of similar cases done by Guyanese living abroad; tenants do this with the sole intention of stealing properties.

When we lived in Guyana, people still respected their own property and those of other people. It seems to me that a lawless generation has developed over the years, and has been allowed to do so by the authorities turning their backs on such situations. Surely the Government is aware of what is currently going on. If not, this letter serves to inform Government officials of the matter.

Mr. President, my family is counting on your government to crack down on these people who take advantage of us living abroad. My mother is now 93 years old, and has been looking forward to spending some of her last years in the house she worked so hard to build.

Mr. President, I am asking that your government help Guyanese like us in whatever way you can and by whatever laws you need to enact. We support your government, and look forward to seeing Guyana prosperous and “beautiful” again. Congratulations!

Sincerely,
LORRAINE BERNARD