A 67-year-old Portuguese retiree, who has lived in Luxembourg for several decades, is at risk of becoming homeless after the building where he lived was sold, facing difficulties in finding an alternative in the current real estate market. With a monthly pension of 1,680 euros, Carlos Rocha says he is unable to afford the amounts required for rent, at a time when prices remain high and supply remains limited.
According to the news portal, the tenant was informed that he would have to leave the apartment in three months, after the sale of the property where he had lived for around 15 years, in Esch-sur-Alzette. According to the same source, the communication came unexpectedly, contrary to previous indications that the building would not be placed on the market.
Pressure to sign
After receiving the notification, Carlos Rocha tried to negotiate more time, but reports having been pressured to formalize his departure. “They forced me to sign a paper to leave within three months,” he says, adding that he was faced with threats related to the cutting of essential services. The pensioner states that he has been looking for alternatives, but the amounts requested make any solution difficult. Rents in the private market are, in many cases, around 1,400 euros, to which are added high deposits, which makes moving unfeasible.
Carlos Rocha turned to several public housing entities, but remains on the waiting list. Furthermore, he requested support from the local community, without achieving a concrete solution so far. The commune of Esch-sur-Alzette confirms that the case is being monitored and that the retiree is registered with the national affordable housing system. The city hall emphasizes that high demand and lack of supply make it difficult to respond quickly, even in situations considered urgent.
Contradictory versions
The retiree’s family claims that it had been suggested that he return to Portugal, something he rejects. The same source indicates that the city hall denies this version, guaranteeing that such a recommendation is not part of its practices. Access to affordable housing depends on specific legal criteria, including the absence of real estate ownership. Each application is analyzed individually, taking into account legal and socioeconomic factors.
The Ministry of Housing clarifies that the sale of a property does not automatically imply the end of the rental contract. The contract remains in force and can only be terminated under the conditions provided for by law.
Deadlines and decisions
The notice period is, as a rule, three months, although it may be longer in certain situations. The publication adds that the eviction can only proceed with a court decision, and the tenant can request postponements. Despite existing support mechanisms, there is no automatic right to a new home. Social services can provide support, however solutions depend on availability.
It is worth noting that Carlos Rocha has lived in Luxembourg since 1998 and has worked in various sectors, including civil construction and the airport. The Contact writes that he suffered workplace accidents throughout his career, which contributed to his current disability situation. The case is now in court, while the retiree remains in the property, which is already under construction, awaiting a decision. According to the same source, uncertainty remains, in a context in which demand for housing continues to exceed available supply.
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