Tenants questioned over unpaid rent

JAKARTA: Six tenants of the Pulomas low-cost apartment in East Jakarta were questioned on Tuesday by East Jakarta Police, as they had not paid their rent for six months.

"We were indeed questioned as suspects, but we would pay the rent if we and the apartment management reach an agreement about the latest 15 percent hike in rent," said a tenant, Rullie A.S.

He said hundreds of tenants had delayed paying rent since January in objection to the hike. The previous rent ranged from Rp 350,000 (US$38) to Rp 650,000 per month; the new fees are set at Rp 450,000 to Rp 720,000.

On May 21, apartment management PT Pulomas Jaya filed a complaint with the East Jakarta Police, accusing the six of living at the apartment without paying rent, thus violating Law No. 4/1992 on housing and settlement.

The tenants argued that according to Government Regulation No. 44/1994, the amount of rent should be agreed upon by the management and tenants both. -- JP