To the Minister of Finance Mr. Christos Staikouras
Rep. Minister of Finance Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis
The Deputy Minister of Finance Mr. Apostolos Vesyropoulos
COM.: To the Minister of Development Mr. Adonis Georgiadis
& The Governor of AADE, Mr. George Pitsili
Here Athens, 15.11.2020
SUBJECT: COVID Rent Refunds: Payment as Condition of Abatement, Foreclosure and Beneficial Measures for Physical & legal entities.
Dear Ministers, Governors
In relation to the amendment submitted to the Parliament for the reduction of real estate rents, which significantly improves the percentage and the return process, but unfortunately it seems that the measure is permanent for the coming months, we address the following four specific proposals for improvement of:
- When the State provides for the relief of the tenants, it must likewise ensure the side of the owners. The reduction of the rent by 40% must have as a self-evident condition the timely payment of the 60% due, as we had requested from the beginning, and as it was rightly legislated for the optional reduction, but unfortunately “disappeared” by the new regulation introduced with this amendment.
- The amount to be paid to each owner must be expressly legislated that, in addition to being tax-free, it must be irrevocable and inalienable, and not to be offset against any other obligations of the owner to any public body, as is also the case for all allowances paid as aid during this period to the various sectors of the economy and society! Because if the beneficial owner has outstanding debts to the State, this amount will be confiscated automatically, in offset with part of his obligations! Otherwise, the 50% refund will essentially be a “free gift” for the owners, amid today’s difficulties!
- Besides this refund, which was the basic and unyielding demand of POMIDA from the very beginning, it must to extend to real estate lessors with “cut” rents, who unfortunately do not have a social security system like all the other victims, and all other beneficial measures, facilitations and transfers of tax obligations, arrangements, etc. and principal and student housing rent reductions, provided for so many other categories of taxpayers!
- Finally, the amendment still excludes all kinds of legal entities – lessors who remain, without reason, outside of any tax relief, and this concerns both all kinds of charitable and public benefit institutions, but also private companies. Therefore, it must be legislated that this return and all additional beneficial measures will also concern all legal entities – property lessors!
At your disposal for any clarification and cooperation Secretary
Stratos I. Paradias Tasos I. Vappas
