As Ryszard Lisiecki, deputy director of ZGM, reports, so far 12 tenants in arrears have submitted applications proposing to work off their debts. Most of them were approved, and these people will begin work in February. They will perform simple tasks such as replacing sand in sandpits, cleaning courtyards, basements and attics, loading bulky waste, and carrying out minor repairs. For each hour worked, the debt will be reduced by PLN 8, as this is the hourly rate that has been set. This money will not be handed to the debtor, but will instead be used to repay their debt. It is also important that it is not subject to taxation.
It is worth emphasizing that the debtor’s family (the tenant’s family) or other people who wish to help them may also work off the debt. First, the debtor will work off the principal amount, then the interest, and finally the court and enforcement costs.
The basic condition for joining the program is paying the current rent on time. Applications can be downloaded and submitted at the headquarters of the Municipal Housing Management Authority on Zielona Street, at the Municipal Housing Management Branches, or downloaded from the website zgm.legnica.pl (under “Information”).
The Legnica “Work for Debts” campaign is being publicized in the local media. However, to reach all debtors, ZGM will send tenants information about the possibility of working off rent arrears together with other correspondence, by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt. There is no deadline for submitting applications. The program is open-ended.
Working off debt is one of several options the municipality offers to debtors. They may request that the amount owed be divided into installments, apply for debt cancellation in exceptional circumstances, or defer payment. The debt owed for municipal housing is enormous. Unpaid rent arrears amount to more than PLN 43 million. In addition, there is more than PLN 16 million in debt with documented uncollectibility.
Of 6,000 housing units, around 2,000 have rent arrears exceeding three months. The debts of the record holders reach as much as PLN 100,000.
UM Legnica/ii