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Lease-to-own law
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Posted on Sep 06 2000
The Issue: Approval of new law paving the way for new homeowners to lease and own their homes.
Our View: The recently signed law augurs well with the local tradition of home ownership.
Since time immemorial, the old folks have encouraged their children (especially male siblings) to build a house before walking their brides to the altar. It was a tradition that was followed for generations in the olden days, even up to the postwar period when life in these isles was still relatively simple.
Indeed, those were the days when the prospective groom must answer his future in-laws where would he shelter his future wife after the wedding and fandango are over. If one isn’t ready with the new or first family home, the wedding is postponed or extended until the house is built.
It’s a tough traditional requirement in the concept of marriage, but one that ensures security and safety for the new family. This and working the family farm are exercises often imposed to prove whether one is ready for filial obligations. This, however, has changed over the years.
Modernity has prevented a good number of families here (with meager income) from securing an affordable first family home for newly weds. Many have stayed with parents, brothers and sisters or even in-laws. They had to endure crowded conditions and the lack of privacy as they begin a new life. It is difficult for both the visitor and host. The freedom that they would have enjoyed in the privacy of their own home is a far-fetched dream.
But with the signing of the new “lease-to-own” law, many should be able to own the first family home that is decent, safe and sanitary.
It should enable those in the lower-rung of the income bracket to finally own a home they can call their own. In a way, the new law revives an old tradition in home ownership in these isles. Our salute to the sponsor of the measure and the chief executive for signing it into law. It’s real help for many of our people. Si Yuus Maase`!
