RENT WAIVER AND THE BOILING FROG
A thread.
Recent calls for the government to force landlords to lower house rent reminded me of the famous story of a boiling frog.
I am sure you've heard it before.
A thread.
Recent calls for the government to force landlords to lower house rent reminded me of the famous story of a boiling frog.
I am sure you've heard it before.
A farmer liked to cook his meals at the river as he cultivated crops.
One day, two frogs decided to find out what was in the two pots he had placed on stoves.
One of the pots contained boiling water but the other one had cold water.
One day, two frogs decided to find out what was in the two pots he had placed on stoves.
One of the pots contained boiling water but the other one had cold water.
HOT FROG hopped into the pot containing boiling water, but he felt so much pain that he jumped out immediately.
His skin was badly scalded, but he survived.
COLD FROG got into the pot containing cold water.
It felt like river water, so he decided to stay.
His skin was badly scalded, but he survived.
COLD FROG got into the pot containing cold water.
It felt like river water, so he decided to stay.
After a few minutes, the farmer lit the stove; and, when the water started warming, COLD FROG felt a sensation all over his body that felt so good.
As the water became warmer, his body adjusted, and the sensation felt even more soothing.
As the water became warmer, his body adjusted, and the sensation felt even more soothing.
When water temperature reached 60 degrees, he started feeling pain but ignored it. He thought it was a temporary problem and hoped the nice sensation would come back.
However, at 75 degrees, the pain became unbearable. His skin started peeling out, and he became weak and dizzy.
However, at 75 degrees, the pain became unbearable. His skin started peeling out, and he became weak and dizzy.
He tried to jump out but he couldn't.
At 85 degrees, COLD FROG turned to the farmer and asked him to turn off the stove. However, his voice was so weak the farmer did not hear him.
When the water started boiling, he resigned himself to the inevitable.
At 85 degrees, COLD FROG turned to the farmer and asked him to turn off the stove. However, his voice was so weak the farmer did not hear him.
When the water started boiling, he resigned himself to the inevitable.
Economic problems, like the ones caused by COVID-19, disrupt people's lives. Some lose jobs or close businesses.
When someone is used to a regular income, adjusting to a stay-at-home routine is not easy.
It is like moving frogs from a river to cooking pots.
Cooking pot water might resemble river water, but the two are not the same.
It is like moving frogs from a river to cooking pots.
Cooking pot water might resemble river water, but the two are not the same.
How people respond to such disruptions depends on their level of exposure at the time of job loss.
People living in rented houses but have no savings or alternative income will probably feel like they've been thrown into a pot of hot water.
They might, therefore, react the way HOT FROG did: jump out immediately.
They might seek cheaper accommodation or move to rural homes.
They might, therefore, react the way HOT FROG did: jump out immediately.
They might seek cheaper accommodation or move to rural homes.
Those with savings might respond the way COLD FROG did.
If he was in their shoes, he would probably argue that cold water is similar to river water, so he doesn't any need to adjust his lifestyle.
He survives in river water, so he can also survive in pot water.
If he was in their shoes, he would probably argue that cold water is similar to river water, so he doesn't any need to adjust his lifestyle.
He survives in river water, so he can also survive in pot water.
COLD FROG's confidence probably stems from reading motivational books that say no situation is permanent.
He thinks current economic problems are temporary, so things will soon get back to normal.
After all, he was not fired. The company only asked him to take unpaid leave.
He thinks current economic problems are temporary, so things will soon get back to normal.
After all, he was not fired. The company only asked him to take unpaid leave.
Initially, he has a very good sensation; and he loves the break.
He spends his day switching between watching movies and drinking beer, but the part he enjoys most is not having to go to work.
He calls it freedom.
He spends his day switching between watching movies and drinking beer, but the part he enjoys most is not having to go to work.
He calls it freedom.
However, as the landlord turns on the heat every end month, with demand for rent without corresponding income, the water in COLD FROG's cooking pot starts to get hot.
At 40 degrees (four months), his savings are depleted, and he takes a mobile phone loan to pay rent.
He is sure he will repay the loan when he returns to work - in a few weeks.
He is sure he will repay the loan when he returns to work - in a few weeks.
50 DEGREES
He uses his car logbook to get a loan from the local shylock.
He uses part of the loan to pay rent.
The loan must be repaid by the end of the month, but that is not a problem.
By that time, he will have resumed work; and his salary is enough to cover the loan.
He uses his car logbook to get a loan from the local shylock.
He uses part of the loan to pay rent.
The loan must be repaid by the end of the month, but that is not a problem.
By that time, he will have resumed work; and his salary is enough to cover the loan.
55 DEGREES
COLD FROG visits HOT FROG in his new home.
He has built a small mabati house on a plot he bought a few years ago. It has no power, but he says he's glad he doesn't pay rent.
COLD FROG says he can't live in such a house.
What would his friends say?
COLD FROG visits HOT FROG in his new home.
He has built a small mabati house on a plot he bought a few years ago. It has no power, but he says he's glad he doesn't pay rent.
COLD FROG says he can't live in such a house.
What would his friends say?
60 DEGREES
COLD FROG uses the balance from his shylock loan to pay rent.
Immediately, the mobile loan app calls to demand payment.
He promises to repay when he resumes work - "in the next few weeks."
COLD FROG uses the balance from his shylock loan to pay rent.
Immediately, the mobile loan app calls to demand payment.
He promises to repay when he resumes work - "in the next few weeks."
70 DEGREES
The landlord calls demanding rent, but COLD FROG doesn't have.
However, the landlord agrees to allow him to pay rent for both months at 80 degrees.
The mobile phone app calls - if he doesn't pay, they'll report him to CRB.
The landlord calls demanding rent, but COLD FROG doesn't have.
However, the landlord agrees to allow him to pay rent for both months at 80 degrees.
The mobile phone app calls - if he doesn't pay, they'll report him to CRB.
75 DEGREES
Friend gives him phone number of an organization claiming to help tenants with rent problems.
They tell him the government will soon order landlords of their members not to charge rent.
Registration is 5K - send by MPesa.
He borrows 5K from girlfriend and sends.
Friend gives him phone number of an organization claiming to help tenants with rent problems.
They tell him the government will soon order landlords of their members not to charge rent.
Registration is 5K - send by MPesa.
He borrows 5K from girlfriend and sends.
80 DEGREES
Shylock calls - he will sell COLD FROG's car if he does not pay up.
Mobile phone app calls - we are giving you one more chance to pay up.
Landlord threatens to lock the house if he doesn't pay the outstanding rent.
Shylock calls - he will sell COLD FROG's car if he does not pay up.
Mobile phone app calls - we are giving you one more chance to pay up.
Landlord threatens to lock the house if he doesn't pay the outstanding rent.
85 DEGREES
COLD FROG calls the tenant support organization he had sent 5K, but their phone is off.
They had told him not to pay rent, but now he has no option but to talk to the landlord.
Landlord accepts COLD FROG's offer to pay rent for three months at 90 degrees.
COLD FROG calls the tenant support organization he had sent 5K, but their phone is off.
They had told him not to pay rent, but now he has no option but to talk to the landlord.
Landlord accepts COLD FROG's offer to pay rent for three months at 90 degrees.
90 DEGREES
landlord locks COLD FROG's house and disconnects water and electricity; but COLD FROG breaks in and resumes occupancy.
Shylock calls - he has found a buyer for the car.
Mobile phone app calls - one more warning.
landlord locks COLD FROG's house and disconnects water and electricity; but COLD FROG breaks in and resumes occupancy.
Shylock calls - he has found a buyer for the car.
Mobile phone app calls - one more warning.
100 DEGREES
COLD FROG passes by office.
He finds a THIS COMPANY IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED sign at the door.
Back at home, his house is empty - landlord has auctioned his stuff.
Shylock calls - he has sold the car.
Mobile phone app calls.
He tells them: "Fanyeni chenye mnataka."
COLD FROG passes by office.
He finds a THIS COMPANY IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED sign at the door.
Back at home, his house is empty - landlord has auctioned his stuff.
Shylock calls - he has sold the car.
Mobile phone app calls.
He tells them: "Fanyeni chenye mnataka."
