We moved; is there a good landlord anywhere please?

Graces7

A couple or three months ago, we posted re an illegal eviction notice; some great support etc here.

We finally managed to sort a new house out. At a fair distance. Which is fine. Had to take it sight unseen as it was too far to travel.

It had been empty a while; needed sme work, but we booked six weeka ahead and were promised all would be ready.. The situation was perfect for us and the rent fine.

When we arrived after a long hot journey, the house was full of workmen. Far from finished. Junk in the garden; lots of promises etc etc etc.

We learned that night that some of the lights did not work; eg the landing/stairs. Learned that the hard way by falling half way.

A week on, still not all the work done..

The landlord in and out; workmen arriving late at night..

The landlord's brother in and out; and someone in when we were out.

We are very private people; and even have a PRIVATE notice on the gate thus; as well as two loud dogs.

Tonight, suddenly a woman arrived at the door, having ignored the notice etc.

Says she is the owner... so clearly she thinks she can walk in any time?

Does this ever stop with landlords here?

We love the house and the area, but this hassle again.

We have emailed the agent once more; he has been very good with it all.

We simply need peace; it has been a long and stressful time with a difficult move. Just peace and privacy.

convert

Obvioulsy as a tenant you are entitled to the peaceable enjoyment of your property, but if you do not allow the workmen in the house then it can't be repaired or decorated. By the sounds of it the workmen could well be doing a nixer if they are arriving late in the evening, so maybe have a chat with the landlord and see if you can come to some sort of agreement regarding hours, etc.

Tonight, suddenly a woman arrived at the door, having ignored the notice etc.

Says she is the owner... so clearly she thinks she can walk in any time?

You mentioned in your post that you met the landlord and his brother, but this lady claims to be the owner? That doesn't really make any sense, unless, of course, her husband or brother signed the lease instead of her?

As for her walking past the 'private' sign: you never provided the full details as to why she called over? Was it to discuss the renovation of the house or check its progress? Or to say hello and introduce herself?

We simply need peace; it has been a long and stressful time with a difficult move. Just peace and privacy.

Again, you need to discuss the renovation works with the landlord and reach an agreement. The work obviously needs to be done, but given the above sentences it sounds like you'd prefer if all work stopped in the house and it was left 'as is'?

Graces7

convert wrote: »

Obvioulsy as a tenant you are entitled to the peaceable enjoyment of your property, but if you do not allow the workmen in the house then it can't be repaired or decorated. By the sounds of it the workmen could well be doing a nixer if they are arriving late in the evening, so maybe have a chat with the landlord and see if you can come to some sort of agreement regarding hours, etc.



You mentioned in your post that you met the landlord and his brother, but this lady claims to be the owner? That doesn't really make any sense, unless, of course, her husband or brother signed the lease instead of her?

As for her walking past the 'private' sign: you never provided the full details as to why she called over? Was it to discuss the renovation of the house or check its progress? Or to say hello and introduce herself?



Again, you need to discuss the renovation works with the landlord and reach an agreement. The work obviously needs to be done, but given the above sentences it sounds like you'd prefer if all work stopped in the house and it was left 'as is'?

No it makes no sense at all.. This was the first we had heard she existed. He signed the lease.

No idea why she came like that; had she been interested she may have sorted stuff better than the men. Like the lights. The fittings needed replacing. we had to read the riot act to get that fixed. Leg and foot still black and blue.

I am unwell and was going to bed; having someone invade like that was the last straw. They have all been in and out all week. We have been having words with everyone all week.

The agent has been trying to urge them on,, but as someone said. "Think Mexico"' we were promised the work would all be done before we arrived is the real issue.

We were told it was just a bit of painting; in fact they have gutted the kitchen and I think the bathroom. we have said we will do any painting still to be done.

Just exhausted is all; we were thinking to rest when we got here and a week on still chaos. Health issues etc

But PRIVATE means just that. Especially the landlord etc; who we thought we had already met and talked with several times.

By pushing we have managed to get most of the inside stuff done.

we are early to bed in this house so a few times we have had to get up again to let workmen in.

...still the old car, the old toilet and various other large junk they promised rid of a week ago.. Then we found that two of the windows need replacing, when the wind and rain came.

Should know better than to believe agents; but with a threat of eviction on one side and a violent neighbour on the other, any port in a storm.

It seems that they know nothing re tenancy law; not registered etc either; they are good folk, which makes it all harder. Landlord is a man of few words and refers all to the agent. Both have the same name which causes confusion..

Rural Ireland .. yet so lovely.

D3PO

i cant get over some people. They complain when landlords dont fix problems they have then they complain when they do.

fair enough you expected it to be done before you mvoed in but its getting done. Would you rather your privacy and the issues remaing unresolved or having to put up with some workmen until the issues are fixed ?

Ultimately you cant have your cake and eat it. I cant see how a week or maybe 2 - 3 (no idea what work is being done) of intrustions is that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.

re the lady perhaps its the landlords wife ? Logical explaination to me.

Graces7

D3PO wrote: »

i cant get over some people. They complain when landlords dont fix problems they have then they complain when they do.

fair enough you expected it to be done before you mvoed in but its getting done. Would you rather your privacy and the issues remaing unresolved or having to put up with some workmen until the issues are fixed ?

Ultimately you cant have your cake and eat it. I cant see how a week or maybe 2 - 3 (no idea what work is being done) of intrustions is that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.

re the lady perhaps its the landlords wife ? Logical explaination to me.

To quote someone from another board.. who pissed on YOUR cornflakes?

Yes it IS a big deal; a VERY big deal indeed.

We were promised a finished house and yes we expect that. And that is what we are paying rent for; a house that can be lived in, not a buliding site where workmen expect to be admitted late at night or the job gets delayed even more.

Aren;t we soooooooooo unreasonable to expect promises to be kept?" To expect a safe house? MY what unreasonable people.. Especially when there is illness..

To expect also that quiet enjoyment that the law promises also....

Which we are paying for by the way.

Glenalla

Just delighted you are not renting my house - nightmare!!!

Damie

Maybe next time rent a house that's finished and ready and that you get to view.....just a thought!

Take a chill pill too

Graces7

Damie wrote: »

Maybe next time rent a house that's finished and ready and that you get to view.....just a thought!

If you read, you will see that this was a rushed move; and at a fair distance and needing rent allowance there is not much choice.

As for your uncalled for "chill pill" comment; there are times when the only response is anger.

Standards in this country of rented accommodation are appalling and the kind of complacency expressed here are the reason for it.

Graces7

Glenalla wrote: »

Just delighted you are not renting my house - nightmare!!!

If your attitude is what comes across in this cryptic post. then we too are very glad we are not renting a house from you.

Nightmare because we expect promises to be kept? And a lease to be fulfilled? And a house to be habitable?

Thankful indeed that we do now have tenancy laws.

Glenalla

Graces7 wrote: »

To quote someone from another board.. who pissed on YOUR cornflakes?

Yes it IS a big deal; a VERY big deal indeed.

We were promised a finished house and yes we expect that. And that is what we are paying rent for; a house that can be lived in, not a buliding site where workmen expect to be admitted late at night or the job gets delayed even more.

Aren;t we soooooooooo unreasonable to expect promises to be kept?" To expect a safe house? MY what unreasonable people.. Especially when there is illness..

To expect also that quiet enjoyment that the law promises also....

Which we are paying for by the way.

Who is paying, you or the taxpayer?

Graces7

Glenalla wrote: »

Who is paying, you or the taxpayer?

Gee...I clearly hit a very sore point to elicit that remark. Shame on you!

Glenalla

GET A LIFE!!!

Who_owns_this?

Glenalla wrote: »

GET A LIFE!!!

Post reported, by me. You don't seem to be very nice at all Glenalla.

Graces - I feel so sorry for you. To come from a bad tenancy into another bad tenancy must be a nightmare. You were promised a place that was finished and so you must have entered the contract to rent on those terms. Also, once you're renting, the landlord, his wife, whoever, has no right to enter onto the place without your permission.

I hope you get over your illness, and the last thing you probably want is stress. Maybe send a clear message to the landlord that the place isn't as you were told it would be, and also that you don't want people walking into your home.

Good luck... and don't mind the begrudgers!!

gossipgal08

Feel compellrd to reply. I am a taxpayer of several years. My parents are taxpayers of over 40 years. The tennent is entitle to peace in his/her own home. RA housing is a joke. the builder should call between 8am-7pm not whenop is going to bed

D3PO

Graces7 wrote: »

To quote someone from another board.. who pissed on YOUR cornflakes?

Yes it IS a big deal; a VERY big deal indeed.

.

and to quote a song cry me a river

i have no sympathy for you. you signed a lease without viewing a property. Need I point out how stupid that is ?

perhaps if every post you make on this forum wasnt a whinge and showing a disking to landlords in general people might think your reasonable and dont have a large chip on your shoulder when it comes to renting.

you either want the issues resolved or you dont. if you do then you have to appreciate that there will or could be an inconvenience.

liek the other poster said im glad im not renting to you. Your unreasonable to the extreme.

somebody came to your door past your private sign. god forbid. Will you be back on in 2 weeks time complaing about the church collection knocking at your door or the local counciller ? I suspect you will :rolleyes:

Victor

Can I ask people to be a bit more polite?

Glenalla wrote: »

Who is paying, you or the taxpayer?

Does it matter? Both are entitled to the service being paid for.

Damie

Graces7 wrote: »

If you read, you will see that this was a rushed move; and at a fair distance and needing rent allowance there is not much choice.

As for your uncalled for "chill pill" comment; there are times when the only response is anger.

Standards in this country of rented accommodation are appalling and the kind of complacency expressed here are the reason for it.

A rushed move, thats my point, its your problem if its a rushed move and you dont get to check out before you rent. Not much sympathy floating around, maybe you should read something into that?.......meh

The_Conductor

Guys, can everyone please take a deep breath, calm down, and take a time out before hitting the 'submit reply' button. While we allow discussions of most topics here- I must insist on posters being civil towards one another. If you vehemently disagree with what someone else posts- refute it in a factual manner- without personalising your posts. Laying into one another is not on- and will result in either a ban, or a holiday from posting in this forum.

Further- if you have an issue with what someone posts and believe a moderator should take action on it- use the 'Report Post' function- do not start a civil war with the person who posted the item you disagree with.

Regards,

SMcCarrick

the_syco

You went into a house you never saw before, and found it to be a mess. For this you have no-one but yourself to blame, so remember this when dealing with the agent: it's not his fault you didn't look before you lept. Taking the view that everyone is out to get you may make people try to avoid you. You may think this is a good thing, as you value your privacy, but in the long run, it'll be a bad thing, as no-one will come to fix your house, or put the job n their (very) long finger.

Regarding the work and the people doing it seeming to be nixers, talk to the agent, to get the work done in weekend bursts. This will mean that the work would be done in blocks of maybe 8 hours, instead of an hour here, and an hour there, and will give you more peace. It'll also mean that any "big" jobs can be done in the one go.

Deer Hunter DL

thank god your gone from our area people are alot more at ease now , this woman causes havock every where she goes be aware people, she posts up stuff on here making out that she is the victim all the time but mostly its her neirbours that are the victims :mad:

Dymo

Deer Hunter DL wrote: »

thank god your gone from our area people are alot more at ease now , this woman causes havock every where she goes be aware people, she posts up stuff on here making out that she is the victim all the time but mostly its her neirbours that are the victims :mad:

I don't know the person but only from posts here but everything is anti Landlord she had so much trouble in her last property she should of know better this time and the her comments above are typical when someone disagrees with her.Everyone is to blame except herself and seems intent to keep pulling in people to shower sympathy on her.

The landlord calling around when a new tenant arrives is good thing it, it shows they want to sort things out. The owners of the house that's being rented hardly want to be paying workmen. From my experiences people on RA are harder to please that people paying from there own wages.

ztoical

Graces7 wrote: »

Tonight, suddenly a woman arrived at the door, having ignored the notice etc.

Says she is the owner... so clearly she thinks she can walk in any time?

You never said what it was this lady wanted when she came to the door just that she came to the door. Did she actually just walk into the house without asking, say "I'm the owner" then leave or did she ring the doorbell cus it sounds like she rang/knocked on the door which is not the same as someone walking in. Just because someone puts a "private" sign on their gate doesn't mean people can't knock on the door.

The_Conductor

Guys- remember the rules- if you disagree with what someone else posts- refute it factually without personalising your posts. Warning to everyone posting here.

S.

Glenalla

This post seems to be getting a lot of peoples back up and should probably be ended. I think we all get the jist of it.

astrofool

Work renovating a house always runs late, always, I would never plan to move into somewhere that was in the process of being renovated until it was 100% completed (and then I'd expect that there would still be small remedial items to be fixed).

Is it just the two of you + two dogs?

Darlughda

Dymo wrote: »

I don't know the person but only from posts here but everything is anti Landlord she had so much trouble in her last property she should of know better this time and the her comments above are typical when someone disagrees with her.Everyone is to blame except herself and seems intent to keep pulling in people to shower sympathy on her.

The landlord calling around when a new tenant arrives is good thing it, it shows they want to sort things out. The owners of the house that's being rented hardly want to be paying workmen. From my experiences people on RA are harder to please that people paying from there own wages.

Outrageous post. Grace has done nothing in any of her posts other than show she is anti shoddy attitude from greedy landlords who just see tenants as a cash cow. She suffers from a long term illness and you are calling that an attempt to shower sympathy? Despicable? Yes.

From your own experiences people on RA are harder to please.. why is that?
Do you rip them off too?
Assume they will live in sub standard accomodation just because they are on RA?
In my experience, people on RA, are so damn grateful to find a decent landlord who has a decent property they are too damn avoidant to call him/her regarding anything that a working person would not think twice about!

johnnyskeleton

Although you might find the prospect of a further search and move daunting, if there is serious disruption to your life in that property you might consider a different one.

It sounds like the main source of your trouble isn't so much the availability of good rental accomodation on RA, but rather that you appear to be tied to one or two areas, perhaps in a rural area where there is little choice.

You might want to consider moving further afield for your accomodation needs rather than have to put up with the disruptions.

the_syco

Darlughda wrote: »

Outrageous post.

I'm wondering why she moved into a hellhole after experiencing such crap in her last place, tbh.

Darlughda

the_syco wrote: »

I'm wondering why she moved into a hellhole after experiencing such crap in her last place, tbh.

I would imagine that as difficult as it can be to find a decent landlord, with a decent property, to accept rent allowance in Dublin it must be hell in rural Ireland.

As far as I remember, Grace lives in Donegal. Can't imagine there is much choice there. Maybe she will be able to elaborate further.

Osgoodisgood

Darlughda wrote: »

Outrageous post. Grace has done nothing in any of her posts other than show she is anti shoddy attitude from greedy landlords who just see tenants as a cash cow.

Landlords see tenants as customers. It's a business relationship and should be treated as such by both parties.

Glenalla

Darlughda wrote: »

I would imagine that as difficult as it can be to find a decent landlord, with a decent property, to accept rent allowance in Dublin it must be hell in rural Ireland.

As far as I remember, Grace lives in Donegal. Can't imagine there is much choice there. Maybe she will be able to elaborate further.

There is a huge choice of great houses in Donegal available for rent, take a drive around or talk to any of the property agents, they will tell you its a renters market, however it helps to view the house you are going to rent prior to moving in!, then you wont be disappointed.

Distorted

Mmmn, its only been a week, you didn't view the property before you moved in and you wanted to move in a hurry. You complain about various things wrong with the property yet complain about the work being done to fix them (example - you complain about two broken windows but how are they to be fixed if you object to workmen coming into the house)? To me, and forgive me if I'm wrong, but it sounds as if you pressurised the landlord into letting you move in before the house was ready.

Building work takes time to carry out. You are getting a new kitchen. Surely thats a good thing? Wouldn't you complain if you had to put up with an old manky kitchen? If the area is so bereft of good landlords and decent properties, would it not be better to buy your own place or move to another area (if your job doesn't constrain you)? And if you booked it 6 weeks in advance, surely in that time it must have been possible to actually visit it? Or at least ask for photographs?

This reminds me of a guy I met at my work, claimed he was desperate for a couple of weeks accommodation for him and his girlfriend before he went home to Slovakia as his lease had ended. He knew I had rental properties and had one empty because it was being renovated and was unfinished. He pressurised and pressurised me to let him and his girlfriend to stay in it for two weeks over the festive period and eventually I felt so bad I gave him and let him have it for E175 for the duration or something suchlike. It was a 5 bedroom apartment right in the centre. It wasn't bad but some stuff still needed to be done. You would have thought he would have been grateful but oh no, after a few days, the demands started. There were no wine glasses, could I buy some and bring them round please? The fridge didn't seem to be working, could I adjust the temperature? There was no tumble dryer. I shouldn't have remained as polite as I did, just gritting my teeth thinking "he'll be out soon". These sort of people must get told often enough to be grateful for the genuine efforts of other people, but I do believe they think the role of other people is to run around after them - they have no consideration of the effort involved or any concept of saying thank you and being patient.

BostonB

If people didn't move into unfinished and/or unsuitable housing, landlords would be forced to improve the the properties before renting.

FarmerGreen

BostonB wrote: »

If people didn't move into unfinished and/or unsuitable housing, landlords would be forced to improve the the properties before renting.

Sure, but would you spend on improving your property if there was no income to pay for it?
Anyway some people are so old, desperate and fixated on animal welfare issues that thay have alienated their new community so much that they have to move for their physical safety.
They have run out of options.

BostonB

FarmerGreen wrote: »

Sure, but would you spend on improving your property if there was no income to pay for it?....

Spend money to make money. Yes.

The_Conductor

BostonB wrote: »

If people didn't move into unfinished and/or unsuitable housing, landlords would be forced to improve the the properties before renting.

Why then is the renting model in many countries on the continent and in the US the polar opposite of this- and in many cases other than corporate lettings, its almost impossible to find furnished properties? We have gone to extreme lengths to fashion our rental sector in this manner- very few other countries allow flat line depreciation of furniture in their rental sectors, as we do- they do however charge such a premium for furnished accommodation, that the furniture pays for itself.

BostonB

I said finished not furnished.

The_Conductor

BostonB wrote: »

I said finished not furnished.

Damn reading dyslexia!

BostonB

Happens to all of us

On that track, I know someone renting in Germany and part of their lease was that when leaving it they have to strip the place bare and paint it all white. Only then do they get a deposit back. I don't know if thats typical or not. But I thought it was a better way of doing things.

Distorted

If it wasn't the state of the property, it would be something else. The landlord not responding to complaints within the hour, the landlord coming in to fix things following complaints, the neighbours, the noisy road outside. When I was younger I stayed in plenty of rented rooms in flats and rented cottages and most of them had far more than was wrong with the ones I rent out now. But I barely ever complained about anything, and when I did I appreciated the landlord's attempts to put things right. I also wasn't paying executive level rents - then I guess you can expect near perfection. But show me the perfect house that remains perfect and nothing ever goes wrong with it?

The tenants here are grown adults, they seem to have no ability to take responsibility for their own choices in life, to make responsible, adult decisions and so on, and seem too ready to blame everyone else that they have contact with. It makes me uncomfortable and I detect a lack of social skills, real aggression in how the OP responds and an inability to interact effectively with other people. And I don't even know them!

BostonB

Theres nothing wrong with a valid complaint. In Ireland we don't complain (properly) enough.

danbohan

Graces7 wrote: »

A couple or three months ago, we posted re an illegal eviction notice; some great support etc here.

We finally managed to sort a new house out. At a fair distance. Which is fine. Had to take it sight unseen as it was too far to travel.

It had been empty a while; needed sme work, but we booked six weeka ahead and were promised all would be ready.. The situation was perfect for us and the rent fine.

When we arrived after a long hot journey, the house was full of workmen. Far from finished. Junk in the garden; lots of promises etc etc etc.

We learned that night that some of the lights did not work; eg the landing/stairs. Learned that the hard way by falling half way.

A week on, still not all the work done..

The landlord in and out; workmen arriving late at night..

The landlord's brother in and out; and someone in when we were out.

We are very private people; and even have a PRIVATE notice on the gate thus; as well as two loud dogs.

Tonight, suddenly a woman arrived at the door, having ignored the notice etc.

Says she is the owner... so clearly she thinks she can walk in any time?

Does this ever stop with landlords here?

We love the house and the area, but this hassle again.

We have emailed the agent once more; he has been very good with it all.

We simply need peace; it has been a long and stressful time with a difficult move. Just peace and privacy.

why dont you try this guy ,http://www.independent.ie/national-news/irish-landlord-one-of-nys-worst-2321357.html
he might have something suitable for you !

Distorted

BostonB wrote: »

Theres nothing wrong with a valid complaint. In Ireland we don't complain (properly) enough.

Not necessarily. I evicted a tenant for complaining too much. All done perfectly correctly with correct service of notice and valid grounds, etc. This is the only tenant I have ever evicted. She was costing me a fortune. She complained literally every second night, always just about 8.30-9pm when I was sitting down to relax. She complained when the living room lightbulbs burst and was unable to flip up the circuit breaker in the fuse box. I had to pay for an electrician to do it for her. She complained the central heating was broken when in reality she couldn't follow the instructions on how to switch it on. I paid for a plumber to show her how. She complained about pretty much everything. The last straw was when she sent me a rude email on Christmas Eve asking me to install drainage grooves on the kitchen worktop and a nicer tap asap and told me she would be going onto disability benefits as she was giving up her job. Since it was a nice flat in a nice area, easily let, and her rent was too cheap anyway, and I'd never get her out once she was installed on said benefits, I evicted her. She did disappear without paying the bills but tbh by that stage I was so sick of her, I would have paid her to leave!

BostonB

Distorted wrote: »

Not necessarily. I evicted a tenant for complaining too much. All done perfectly correctly with correct service of notice and valid grounds, etc. This is the only tenant I have ever evicted. She was costing me a fortune. She complained literally every second night, always just about 8.30-9pm when I was sitting down to relax. She complained when the living room lightbulbs burst and was unable to flip up the circuit breaker in the fuse box. I had to pay for an electrician to do it for her. She complained the central heating was broken when in reality she couldn't follow the instructions on how to switch it on. I paid for a plumber to show her how. She complained about pretty much everything. The last straw was when she sent me a rude email on Christmas Eve asking me to install drainage grooves on the kitchen worktop and a nicer tap asap and told me she would be going onto disability benefits as she was giving up her job. Since it was a nice flat in a nice area, easily let, and her rent was too cheap anyway, and I'd never get her out once she was installed on said benefits, I evicted her. She did disappear without paying the bills but tbh by that stage I was so sick of her, I would have paid her to leave!

They are not valid complaints. That you can't tell the difference illustrates my point.

Osgoodisgood

BostonB wrote: »

They are not valid complaints. That you can't tell the difference illustrates my point.

I think you'll find that Distorted was by and large agreeing with you. Valid complaints are perfectly reasonable, invalid ones are not. Any decent landlord will treat the former promptly every time because its in his interests to do so. The latter are an extreme annoyance and I sympathise with Distorted on those odd occasions when the incessant moaning becomes more trouble than it's worth.

mikom

Distorted wrote: »

It makes me uncomfortable and I detect a lack of social skills, real aggression in how the OP responds and an inability to interact effectively with other people. And I don't even know them!

I believe in this case everything can be solved if the landlord simply wears a dog costume every time he visits.

Distorted

BostonB wrote: »

They are not valid complaints. That you can't tell the difference illustrates my point.

Please don't insult me. I think whatever esoteric point you are trying to make beyond your own proclaimed mastery of all tenancy issues is so obscure it has long been lost. I know what I am doing. I don't regard _all_ of the OP's complaints as valid either, and do not forget that we are only hearing one side of it. I used to work in local government investigating neighbour and tenancy complaints and developed a pretty good instinct for who was exaggerating and who had valid complaints.

BostonB

The OP had "some" valid complaints. Poorly communicated perhaps.

Theres a certain double standards in ridiculing a tenant complaining about unexpected late calls to the house and late repair work. But its ok for a landlord to complain about late phone calls. Assuming you think 8~9pm is late.

BostonB

Distorted wrote: »

Please don't insult me. I think whatever esoteric point you are trying to make beyond your own proclaimed mastery of all tenancy issues is so obscure it has long been lost. I know what I am doing. I don't regard _all_ of the OP's complaints as valid either, and do not forget that we are only hearing one side of it. I used to work in local government investigating neighbour and tenancy complaints and developed a pretty good instinct for who was exaggerating and who had valid complaints.

The point was simple. Nothing remotely esoteric about. Irish people don't know how to complain properly about valid complaints. You replied with a list of invalid complaints, improperly communicated. Perfect example of how not to complain.

The_Conductor

Guys- lets calm down here.
No more personalisation of posts.

Regards,

Shane

BostonB

No insult intended. Apologies. I made my point badly.