Dear tenants (in MV),

If your landlord is trying to evict you during covid-19 for failing to pay rent:

1) Ask them to get a court order for eviction;
2) Absolutely refuse to move out - if they use physical force, that's a crime. If they lock you in, that's a crime.

3) Do not leave the property unattended.

By the time the court gets around to doing anything in the current circumstances in the Maldives, this would most likely have passed.

You will be liable to pay the rent, of course.

If you are a landlord evicting tenants, fuck you.

Yes, cutting off electricity, water is also a crime (s221 PC). Report that to the utility service and the police.

I'll add for clarity that this will be a breach of contract - a private law obligation: you will ultimately be liable to pay rent for the period you stay.

You can recover from a debt judgment - that's financial. Hell, if you do not have the money, a judgment is useless. But you/your family/your children cannot recover from periods of homelessness - that's physical and psychological. Stay home.

@mvpeoplesmajlis SHOULD also intervene to prevent evictions during this pandemic; and freeze any penalty, interest, or similar additional charges on rent accrued during this period.

we have a high population of idiots. so, i'll state the obvious : this is for people being evicted who cannot afford to pay. if you CAN afford to pay, pay.

Additional clarity for idiots: if the court orders you to move out, you absolutely should. Point is, that will take several months more.