WeWork tenants form Dublin group to push for rent deal during coronavirus

A NUMBER of Dublin-based tenants of WeWork, a multinational flexible workspace company, have formed a group to negotiate rent payments with the firm.

WeWork has four open buildings and 7,000 members in Dublin.

It is believed to be one of the city’s largest providers of office space.

The group is understood to be made up of 11 member companies of WeWork’s Dublin Landings office space.

It is understood the group became frustrated with the US-based landlord’s response to their individual rent concerns at the outset of Covid-19. WeWork is understood to have offered rent deferrals to some of the companies.

Sources said the group was not satisfied with the offer and joined together to discuss their rent issues with WeWork. A source said WeWork refused to negotiate with the group.

WeWork is understood to have engaged with the companies in the group individually as it is unable to discuss their private contracts collectively.

A source said those in the group paid rent in March, but some have withheld it for this month and have vacated their office as issues with the landlord continue. The source said this had led to companies in the group receiving emails from WeWork.

WeWork would not comment on individual cases.

A spokeswoman for WeWork said it had been making changes to its Dublin locations since the start of Covid-19.

“We are speaking to members individually to understand how we can support them during this time. As we continue to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, we are committed to supporting our members and we are making important enhancements to our spaces to ensure they feel comfortable and safe at work.”