Rent late - landlord over-reacting - what can I do?

daddyorchips

hey guys so i text my landlord and told him the rent would be two days late and he said ok thats fine but then i returned home after the long weekend and put baba to bed and settled down for the evening about eight o'clock there was a banging on the door as i was not expecting anyone i didn't answer but then the key started turning in the door and i walked out and slammed the door closed, my landlord shouted where is the rent and i said that he said it was ok if it was two days late and he started verbally abusing me. He had my partner crying and then he left so my question is if he forces his way in can without warning and i attack him what would happen, He was very violent last night so just want to defend my family

djimi

You have it in writing (text isnt great but at least its something) that he agreed to the rent being a couple of days late. If he lets himself into the property again then take a case against him for entering the property uninvited and for denying you your right to quiet enjoyment of the property.

If he forces his way in and/or acts agressively call the police.

Under no circumstances should you attack him unless you have good reason to believe that the safety of your family is at risk.

daddyorchips

djimi wrote: »

You have it in writing (text isnt great but at least its something) that he agreed to the rent being a couple of days late. If he lets himself into the property again then take a case against him for entering the property uninvited and for denying you your right to quiet enjoyment of the property.

If he forces his way in and/or acts agressively call the police.

Under no circumstances should you attack him unless you have good reason to believe that the safety of your family is at risk.

ok thank you i am in no way violent just im the only man with two girls in the house so need to protect them another thing is shouting in the hallway at me considered harrasment ? thank you

djimi

Yes of course it would be harrassment; the landlord has absolutely no business being in your property uninvited and unannounced in the first place, but to force his way in and then start shouting at you is totally unacceptable. If it happens again that he forces his way in and starts acting aggressively get onto the Gardai immediately.

miss no stars

daddyorchips wrote: »

is shouting in the hallway at me considered harrasment ? thank you

Yes - why have you not already reported this to the Gardai? He broke into your home and then started shouting at you. Down to the garda station asap, show them the text and report it. That way it's all on file. Then send a calm message to the landlord stating that the rent will be paid tomorrow (as previously agreed by him) and that you will not tolerate him preventing your peaceful enjoyment of the property. Let him know that you've reported the incident to the gardai so it's on file, but that you won't be pursuing it any further if it's an isolated incident.

If you want to protect your family you need to stand up to him in a non-confrontational but firm manner. Doing nothing is not protecting them.

daddyorchips

Thank you for the helpful replies i am off to the garda station now calm as i can be was really angry before so il try tell you guys what comes of it peace out

lisasimps

he needs to give you 24 hours written notice if he wants to enter the property anyway so he broke the law

daddyorchips

just found out he reported us for not paying rent to the prtb and that he contacted a solicitor also what do I do now ?

sweetie

the PRTB will do nothing for him, people can get away for years without paying rent and he's having a hissy about two days which he agreed to. he's being a p rick and I would be giving my notice. Might be hard enough for him to rent it out again.

StompToWork

I would say you do nothing. You have filed it with the Gardai. Unless you have any requests for information or action from either a solicitor or the PTRB, then do nothing. He is in the wrong, so let him spend his money and spin his wheels until his calms down. It doesn't really sound like you have anything to worry about. Make sure you keep a copy of the SMS exchange where he agreed to the delay in payment.

Other than that, you are in the right here, based on what you have told us so far, so just forget about it and get on with life!!

daddyorchips

sweetie wrote: »

the PRTB will do nothing for him, people can get away for years without paying rent and he's having a hissy about two days which he agreed to. he's being a p rick and I would be giving my notice. Might be hard enough for him to rent it out again.

So he can do nothing what about going to a solicitor what can we do about that ?

djimi

You have it in writing that you informed him of the late payment and he agreed to it. What does he think the PRTB are going to do for him?

Have you since paid the rent or is he still waiting on it? If you have paid it then there isnt a thing he can do about it; even if he wanted to evict you he would have to give you 14 days written notice of his intention to evict, and if you paid the rent in full within those 14 days then he cannot persue it any further.

He is only wasting his own time here; I wouldnt worry about it. Although I would see it as a warning sign that he is not somebody that you want to be dealing with. If you are not tied into a fixed term lease then Id be looking to move if it were me. Somebody with that short a fuse and obvious lack of knowledge of rental law (not to mention common sense) is not someone Id want to have any further dealings with.

elclassico90

your landlord sounds like a legend

a mans gotta get paid!

daddyorchips

elclassico90 wrote: »

your landlord sounds like a legend

a mans gotta get paid!

ledgend he may be but I have a good mind to drag this out now just to get back at him scaring my daughter I should have strung him up

sweetie

daddyorchips wrote: »

So he can do nothing what about going to a solicitor what can we do about that ?

he's hardly going to sue for two days late payment, the cost to him alone wouldn't be worth it - he's bluffing now. probably thinks you may be a bad tenant (how long are you there, have you a lease?) and wants rid. Maybe you could dig in a stay as long as possible to stand up to him but with a young family you want an easy life.

elclassico90

daddyorchips wrote: »

ledgend he may be but I have a good mind to drag this out now just to get back at him scaring my daughter I should have strung him up

why didn't you there is nothing worse than regrets

daddyorchips

sweetie wrote: »

he's hardly going to sue for two days late payment, the cost to him alone wouldn't be worth it - he's bluffing now. probably thinks you may be a bad tenant (how long are you there, have you a lease?) and wants rid. Maybe you could dig in a stay as long as possible to stand up to him but with a young family you want an easy life.

I don't mind paying rent and I don't want an easy life just respect that I have earned from him I paid rent on time for six months on a fixed term lease

daddyorchips

elclassico90 wrote: »

why didn't you there is nothing worse than regrets

because that would make me scum like him

hawkelady

daddyorchips wrote: »

ledgend he may be but I have a good mind to drag this out now just to get back at him scaring my daughter I should have strung him up

Looks like the landlord isn't the only one who can be confrontational!!

Have you paid your rent yet?

Zamboni

With the extended text agreement - when is the rent actually due?

djimi

elclassico90 wrote: »

why didn't you there is nothing worse than regrets

I can think of plenty of things worse than regrets. Such as entering into a long and unnecessary battle with your landlord just for the sake of "getting back at" him. Life is too short for nonsense like that; move out and move on.

Joe Hart

I'd meet whoever's face came into my house with a fist.

dissed doc

You could just pay the rent on time and avoid these problems.

(Alternatively in social-welfare state utopia Ireland, simply stop paying, and live for free).

UDP

This doesn't make sense that only after 2 days late and after agreement by text that the landlord would show up. Either the landlord has psychological issues or we are not getting the full story.

Victor

Joe Hart wrote: »

I'd meet whoever's face came into my house with a fist.

Do not advocate violence.

dissed doc wrote: »

You could just pay the rent on time and avoid these problems.

(Alternatively in social-welfare state utopia Ireland, simply stop paying, and live for free).

No need to be insulting.

hawkelady wrote: »

Looks like the landlord isn't the only one who can be confrontational!!

Have you paid your rent yet?

Constructive posts only please.

Moderator

Rasmus

Have you paid the rent yet? It would be better to cover yourself at this point, the harassment is a separate issue.

discodavie

lisasimps wrote: »

he needs to give you 24 hours written notice if he wants to enter the property anyway so he broke the law

Doesn't need to be written , does need to be concented to unless its an emergency

daddyorchips wrote: »

just found out he reported us for not paying rent to the prtb and that he contacted a solicitor also what do I do now ?

On this you have nothing to worry about if he wants to waste money on solicitors letters let him , the courts wont touch it unless the amount is over 60K

The prtb may have been contacted but they will tell him to write a 14 day rent arrears notice notice which is all he can do.

You however could take him to prtb and should if he does this again.

Lantus

djimi wrote: »

Yes of course it would be harrassment; the landlord has absolutely no business being in your property uninvited and unannounced in the first place, but to force his way in and then start shouting at you is totally unacceptable. If it happens again that he forces his way in and starts acting aggressively get onto the Gardai immediately.

mayb wait until the second or third times? or better still make a stand against unacceptable behaviour and go straight to the gards.

makeorbrake

There is no way he would have responded like that unless he has a real and tangible fear that you're going to renege on paying your rent.

daddyorchips wrote:

I have a good mind to drag this out now

Regardless of what happened, you have a responsibility to pay your bills (if you're a responsible, honest, decent individual).

gaius c

daddyorchips wrote: »

because that would make me scum like him

Have you paid it yet?

Kosseegan

This nonsense of being two days late is ridiculous. It is two days the first time, then four days. People think they are due an award for paying on time for six months. If someone was there five years and had a cash flow difficulty there would be some excuse but after six months it is a definite try on.

djimi

Kosseegan wrote: »

This nonsense of being two days late is ridiculous. It is two days the first time, then four days. People think they are due an award for paying on time for six months. If someone was there five years and had a cash flow difficulty there would be some excuse but after six months it is a definite try on.

So you dont accept that perhaps there might even be the slightest chance that the OP is genuine in their request; that something completely unforeseen might have happened to prevent them from paying their rent on time? **** happens sometimes; doesnt make any difference if you are in a property 6 months or 6 years. Can happen to anyone at any time.

makeorbrake

djimi wrote: »

So you dont accept that perhaps there might even be the slightest chance that the OP is genuine in their request; that something completely unforeseen might have happened to prevent them from paying their rent on time? **** happens sometimes; doesnt make any difference if you are in a property 6 months or 6 years. Can happen to anyone at any time.

It is highly unlikely that the landlord would have reacted in the way that he did unless he believed that this was going beyond 2 days i.e. that there is a REAL issue here with payment. We only have half the story - but we can determine that much.

djimi wrote: »

doesnt make any difference if you are in a property 6 months or 6 years.

From the point of view of tennant-landlord relationship and such things as trust and goodwill, it makes every difference.

djimi wrote: »

So you dont accept that perhaps there might even be the slightest chance that the OP is genuine in their request

See above - we only have half the story - and it's highly unlikely that the landlord would have reacted as he did were the issue confined to a 2 day delay.

djimi wrote: »

Can happen to anyone at any time.

Yes, circumstances can and do arise. However, people also have to take personal responsibility. Paying your rent has to be up at the very top of anyones priorities in the allocation of funds. We don't know the OP's general financial circumstances but to make the point, we don't need to. Whether working or on SW, there are funds coming in - and rent has to be prioritised.
Any goodwill shown by the landlord is exactly that - goodwill. There is NO obligation for him to show that.

petethebrick wrote:

I really hope that you have financial hardship at some point in time due to unforseen circumstances.

...and I really hope that you get the opportunity to be placed in the same scenario i.e. someone accepts goods/services from you and doesn't pay up.

Pink Fox

I agree, your rent should be a priority. You have to secure the roof over your head first, next comes food and heat. Your Sky, phone credit, car, etc come further down the line. You are going to have to pay rent to someone and if you mess up with your landlord, you will not get a reference, no landlord wants tenants who don't pay up. They are not your parents, they don't have to subsidise you. The landlord has kept his part of the arrangement - you are in his house - you should give him what is due.
He should not have come in without giving you giving you notice but I know landlords who went into houses because they could not contact the tenant only to find the house cleared out.
A reputation as a good tenant is invaluable. I know landlords who have given character references to job applicants and helped them get work.

number66

I'd change the lock on the door and start looking for a new place. Your landlord is a scumbag and you can only expect more of the same. I would not expect you deposit back either.

Generic Dreadhead

gaius c wrote: »

Have you paid it yet?

Can the OP please state if this has been paid or not. I think it would provide clarification to some of the above opinions

P. Breathnach

makeorbrake wrote: »

It is highly unlikely that the landlord would have reacted in the way that he did unless he believed that this was going beyond 2 days i.e. that there is a REAL issue here with payment. We only have half the story - but we can determine that much...

You are asking us to believe that OP came here and told lies; you suggest that the landlord might have had good reason to act as he did; you almost suggest that the landlord's behaviour was reasonable.

I am open to the possibility that what OP said was true, and the landlord was quite unreasonable. Else why would OP have come here to discuss his concerns?

djimi

makeorbrake wrote: »

It is highly unlikely that the landlord would have reacted in the way that he did unless he believed that this was going beyond 2 days i.e. that there is a REAL issue here with payment. We only have half the story - but we can determine that much.
.
.
.
See above - we only have half the story - and it's highly unlikely that the landlord would have reacted as he did were the issue confined to a 2 day delay.

I agree we only have one side of the story, but on an internet forum you have to take somewhat of a leap of faith and assume that the OP is telling truth; otherwise there is no point in reading or offering advice.

makeorbrake wrote: »

From the point of view of tennant-landlord relationship and such things as trust and goodwill, it makes every difference.

If it was the first month I would agree. Even 6 months into a tenancy a good tenant should have built up enough good will with the landlord that they should give them the benefit of the doubt with something like this. If it happens again then by all means assume the worst, but as I said these kind of things can happen to anyone, and its usually not at a convenient time either.

makeorbrake wrote: »

Yes, circumstances can and do arise. However, people also have to take personal responsibility. Paying your rent has to be up at the very top of anyones priorities in the allocation of funds. We don't know the OP's general financial circumstances but to make the point, we don't need to. Whether working or on SW, there are funds coming in - and rent has to be prioritised.
Any goodwill shown by the landlord is exactly that - goodwill. There is NO obligation for him to show that.

Im guessing youve never found yourself in a situation where something urgent saps your money then? Never had unexpected medical bills? Rent is less important than a sick child... Of course you should make every effort to prioritize your rent, but if you think that there is no situation that will ever arise that might mean that you struggle to do so then you do not live in real world Im afraid.

Pawwed Rig

I think there is more to this story than meets the eye. I pay my rent roughly around the same date every month. When I say roughly I mean very roughly in that it could be a week early or a week late. Never thought it would be an issue and it never has been.

The timescales are unclear here. The Op said he texted the LL. I would be interested to know when that was and whether he has subsequently paid.

Having said that the LL needs to issue a 14 day notice of arrears and has absolutely no right to enter the house.

H3llR4iser

Whatever happened in the first place, the landlord has no business going to the property with the keys and gaining access to it unannounced. He can of course ring the bell and ask, like any VISITOR would do, but the fact he even brought the keys to the apartment with him kinda means he went there with the intent of intimidating the tenant.

Unfortunately, there are loads of landlords like that. The OP should prepare to have reported issues being largely ignored (whereas the rent will always be requested on time) and can bid farewell to his deposit.

Move out as soon as the contract allows.

Kosseegan

The o/p offered no explanation as to why his rent would be late. He has yet to confirm whether he paid it at all. There is no doubt that he is playing to the gallery.

Victor

petethebrick wrote: »

Stupid posts are stupid

No need for insults. Constructive posts only please.

Moderator

P. Breathnach

Kosseegan wrote: »

The o/p offered no explanation as to why his rent would be late.

He doesn't have to.

He has yet to confirm whether he paid it at all.

He doesn't have to.

There is no doubt that he is playing to the gallery.

More like playing to a bench of self-appointed judges.

The issue that OP brought here for discussion and advice is how he might respond if his landlord enters his home and behaves aggressively. The stuff about the rent is background.

Ray Palmer

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Whatever happened in the first place, the landlord has no business going to the property with the keys and gaining access to it unannounced. He can of course ring the bell and ask, like any VISITOR would do, but the fact he even brought the keys to the apartment with him kinda means he went there with the intent of intimidating the tenant.

Unfortunately, there are loads of landlords like that. The OP should prepare to have reported issues being largely ignored (whereas the rent will always be requested on time) and can bid farewell to his deposit.

Move out as soon as the contract allows.

That is full of assumptions with no thought.

LL calls to door nobody answers sounds like telly is on. LL wonders if tenant is ok goes to check they are ok to have the door slammed on him. Then gets angry. People start shouting everyone is angry and unreasonable.

Slamming a door on somebody is an aggressive move. Doesn't matter if LL was wrong no need to be violent and I would consider it the same as pushing somebody.

Anytime I visit a property I bring the keys and it has nothing to do with intimidation. It's just practical and some keys are with me most of the time.

P. Breathnach

Ray Palmer wrote: »

...
Anytime I visit a property I bring the keys and it has nothing to do with intimidation. It's just practical and some keys are with me most of the time.

It's perfectly okay to bring the keys with you. It's not at all okay to use them.

Gatling

Ray Palmer wrote: »

That is full of assumptions with no thought.

LL calls to door nobody answers sounds like telly is on. LL wonders if tenant is ok goes to check they are ok to have the door slammed on him. Then gets angry. People start shouting everyone is angry and unreasonable..

Im Sorry but that statement is bs ,
Not even a garda would do that ,

As the op said the ll was informed of a delay in payment ,then tried to force his way into the apartment unannounced there is only one wrong in this ,
Jumping on the op by some posters is a joke, some are asking of proof of payment sorry but that none of your business wonder the op hasn't posted again ,

Kosseegan

P. Breathnach wrote: »

He doesn't have to.

He doesn't have to.

More like playing to a bench of self-appointed judges.

The issue that OP brought here for discussion and advice is how he might respond if his landlord enters his home and behaves aggressively. The stuff about the rent is background.

The o/p is contractually bound to pay his rent on time. that is what he agrred to do when he took on the lease. If he has a reason for being late with his rent he should have the manners to state it.
Not giving a reason is impertinent and is insulting. No wonder the landlord reacted robustly. The o/p tried it on and was caught. He will have to behave like a mature adult and pay his rent on time in future.
If he doesn't want his landlord calling around he should pay his rent on time.

djimi

Ray Palmer wrote: »

That is full of assumptions with no thought.

LL calls to door nobody answers sounds like telly is on. LL wonders if tenant is ok goes to check they are ok to have the door slammed on him. Then gets angry. People start shouting everyone is angry and unreasonable.

Slamming a door on somebody is an aggressive move. Doesn't matter if LL was wrong no need to be violent and I would consider it the same as pushing somebody.

Anytime I visit a property I bring the keys and it has nothing to do with intimidation. It's just practical and some keys are with me most of the time.

Why is the landlord at the door in the first place? If we are to take this story at face value then the landlord has already agreed to the rent being paid late, so there is absolutely no reason for him to arrive at the property unannounced.

djimi

Kosseegan wrote: »

The o/p is contractually bound to pay his rent on time. that is what he agrred to do when he took on the lease. If he has a reason for being late with his rent he should have the manners to state it.
Not giving a reason is impertinent and is insulting. No wonder the landlord reacted robustly. The o/p tried it on and was caught. He will have to behave like a mature adult and pay his rent on time in future.
If he doesn't want his landlord calling around he should pay his rent on time.

How do you know they didnt state the reason? Just because they didnt post it on here?

Youre making a lot of assumptions based on nothing at all.

You are also coming across as being totally unreasonable.

Gatling

Kosseegan wrote: »

The o/p is contractually bound to pay his rent on time. that is what he agrred to do when he took on the lease. If he has a reason for being late with his rent he should have the manners to state it.
Not giving a reason is impertinent and is insulting. No wonder the landlord reacted robustly. The o/p tried it on and was caught. He will have to behave like a mature adult and pay his rent on time in future.
If he doesn't want his landlord calling around he should pay his rent on time.

Seriously- op informed the ll of a delayed payment no issue then ,later on tried to force his way in to said op apartment you think this is mature really 'how a bout a public flogging or lynching suit

P. Breathnach

Kosseegan wrote: »

The o/p is contractually bound to pay his rent on time. that is what he agrred to do when he took on the lease.

Agreed

If he has a reason for being late with his rent he should have the manners to state it. Not giving a reason is impertinent and is insulting.

There seems to be a belief that he also has to give the reason here. We don't know if he told the landlord the reason for the delay.

No wonder the landlord reacted robustly.

Robustly! Trespass and intimidatory behaviour over rent being two days late: that is grossly disproportionate.

The o/p tried it on and was caught.

OP tried it on? He expected to be two days late and had the courtesy to contact the landlord - I presume in an apologetic manner.

He will have to behave like a mature adult and pay his rent on time in future.
If he doesn't want his landlord calling around he should pay his rent on time.

As I read it, it is the landlord who did not behave like a mature adult.