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Coronavirus: 'Work dried up suddenly - how can I pay rent?' | Coronavirus: 'Work dried up suddenly - how can I pay rent?' |
(about 13 hours later) | |
A self-employed events organiser said she would need to leave her home and move into a hostel after work suddenly dried up because of the coronavirus. | A self-employed events organiser said she would need to leave her home and move into a hostel after work suddenly dried up because of the coronavirus. |
Natalia Kurteczko, 30, has lived in Oxford for seven years and lodges in a house. | Natalia Kurteczko, 30, has lived in Oxford for seven years and lodges in a house. |
But she said a lack of work after events were suddenly cancelled had pushed her into drastic action. | But she said a lack of work after events were suddenly cancelled had pushed her into drastic action. |
She plans to move into a hostel because she can live there rent-free in exchange for work. | She plans to move into a hostel because she can live there rent-free in exchange for work. |
Annual events she has previously worked at across the country, including the Grand National, have been either cancelled or postponed over coronavirus fears. | Annual events she has previously worked at across the country, including the Grand National, have been either cancelled or postponed over coronavirus fears. |
Ms Kurteczko, who is Polish, said: "I'm absolutely jobless. I'm self-employed and I cannot get any hope from anyone. I'm not entitled to sick pay. | Ms Kurteczko, who is Polish, said: "I'm absolutely jobless. I'm self-employed and I cannot get any hope from anyone. I'm not entitled to sick pay. |
"What am I going to do? I have decided that I am going to keep my savings and move to a hostel and volunteer for 20 hours a week and I can stay there for free. | "What am I going to do? I have decided that I am going to keep my savings and move to a hostel and volunteer for 20 hours a week and I can stay there for free. |
"This is my career. I used to work in delivery, marketing, social media and management, in different industries, but I don't know where to start really. | |
"We have been advised to work from home but in my job it isn't possible." | "We have been advised to work from home but in my job it isn't possible." |
In Oxford, one of the least affordable cities in the country, renting is common and many people will be facing similar challenges. | In Oxford, one of the least affordable cities in the country, renting is common and many people will be facing similar challenges. |
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government would bring forward legislation to protect private renters from eviction but the details were still to be finalised. | On Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government would bring forward legislation to protect private renters from eviction but the details were still to be finalised. |
A group in the city has called for three-month "rent holidays", similar to those promised by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Tuesday for mortgage holders. | A group in the city has called for three-month "rent holidays", similar to those promised by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Tuesday for mortgage holders. |
Lucy Warin, of the Oxford Tenants' Union, said renters needed more reassurances they would not lose out and called on authorities to do more. | Lucy Warin, of the Oxford Tenants' Union, said renters needed more reassurances they would not lose out and called on authorities to do more. |
She said: "We are already hearing from a lot of people whose income has collapsed. | She said: "We are already hearing from a lot of people whose income has collapsed. |
"Their first thought is 'I have got to stop paying my rent and stop renting property'." | "Their first thought is 'I have got to stop paying my rent and stop renting property'." |
She praised "wonderfully socially-minded landlords" who had already assured their tenants they would not evict them if they lost their jobs or could not find work during the crisis. | She praised "wonderfully socially-minded landlords" who had already assured their tenants they would not evict them if they lost their jobs or could not find work during the crisis. |
But she said she remained worried others demanding payment could push tenants into "potentially lethal decisions". | But she said she remained worried others demanding payment could push tenants into "potentially lethal decisions". |
"They're not going to isolate if they need to earn money," she said. | "They're not going to isolate if they need to earn money," she said. |
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