Last Thursday, being a usual half day, I was settling in bed for an afternoon nap, when there was a knock on the door. My son who opened the door shouted out that the building watchman wanted to talk to me. The watchman informed that the monthly rent would be increased from next month to KD 170/- meaning an increase of 40 KD.
Well that was a shock, an increase of within 25 to 30 KD range was 
expected. This means a further tightening of the belt. Already with increase of the general cost of living ( food, consumer goods, school fees, general living) and not really supported by increase in salary, things for people in general in Kuwait is tough. The same people who complain to the government about inflation, are the people who are increasing rents, charging more for goods and services etc. An interesting article is here .
Partly the expatriate community who share apartments are responsible for the rising rents. Usually, when a new building comes up, people go to stay by sharing the apartment and rent. You may have a combination of two families, or family with one or two bachelors/spinsters. When apartments whose rents are exorbitant, do not stay empty, what is the incentive for the landlords to charge reasonable rents. What do you say?
