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Tracking down a mystery landlord

  • 04-07-2013 12:43pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭


    We're at the end of our tether with a landlord in our development. He owes a fortune in management fees, has nightmare tenants in the unit and has disappeared off the face of the planet.

    The unit is not PRTB registered (though it has been reported many times) so can't go down that route. The landlord is not Irish but had been working as a doctor nearby when he bought the unit. He then moved to the midlands but has been gone from there for the past four years. He's not on any medical register here and internet searches have failed to bring up any trace of him. He possibly has gone back to his own country.

    The tenants latest thing appears to be making money by charging people and allowing them dump refuse in our bin sheds late at night. We can't change the bin shed lock as it will lead to dumping at the gate. It's costing us a fortune in extra bin lifts.

    We suspect the tenants aren't paying their own rent..but I can't see anyone from the department of social welfare revealing the landlord's details. Is there anything else we can do?


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,932 ✭✭✭hinault


    athtrasna wrote: »
    We're at the end of our tether with a landlord in our development. He owes a fortune in management fees, has nightmare tenants in the unit and has disappeared off the face of the planet.

    The unit is not PRTB registered (though it has been reported many times) so can't go down that route. The landlord is not Irish but had been working as a doctor nearby when he bought the unit. He then moved to the midlands but has been gone from there for the past four years. He's not on any medical register here and internet searches have failed to bring up any trace of him. He possibly has gone back to his own country.

    The tenants latest thing appears to be making money by charging people and allowing them dump refuse in our bin sheds late at night. We can't change the bin shed lock as it will lead to dumping at the gate. It's costing us a fortune in extra bin lifts.

    We suspect the tenants aren't paying their own rent..but I can't see anyone from the department of social welfare revealing the landlord's details. Is there anything else we can do?

    Folk need to trace the landlord in whatever way they can.
    I'd suggest that following whatever leads you can.

    Presumably those paying rent, pay their rent in to a bank account. That bank account has a name and address of the account owner presumably.
    The bank account is a lead that should be followed up.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    The tenants won't give us the details of the bank account - and are exceptionally aggressive when approached about anything. We suspect they are on rent allowance or rent supplement (they are not Irish either and don't appear to work). No idea how we can get the bank details??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,932 ✭✭✭hinault


    athtrasna wrote: »
    The tenants won't give us the details of the bank account - and are exceptionally aggressive when approached about anything. We suspect they are on rent allowance or rent supplement (they are not Irish either and don't appear to work). No idea how we can get the bank details??

    Have you asked each and every tenant renting in your development for the details of the bank account that they pay their rent in to?

    Do you know of any other developments that the landlord was involved in?
    if so, could you make enquiries to the tenants in those other developments, explaining your situation to them and ask them to provide you with bank account details?

    A bank account would be one tangible lead that might be followed up.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    hinault wrote: »
    Have you asked each and every tenant renting in your development for the details of the bank account that they pay their rent in to?

    Do you know of any other developments that the landlord was involved in?
    if so, could you make enquiries to the tenants in those other developments, explaining your situation to them and ask them to provide you with bank account details?

    No - the leases specify that the landlords must keep us informed if they rent out the unit, with contact details for them and their tenants. We would not be entitled to ask for bank account details?? These are the same leases that say you must pay management fees....which this landlord also ignores.

    The landlord was originally an owner occupier when he was working at the local hospital, and rented it when he moved to the midlands. It's unlikely that he has any other property. Also our previous management agents managed a lot of developments in the area and he didn't own in any of their other developments.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    hinault wrote: »
    A bank account would be one tangible lead that might be followed up.

    Unless the tenants are prepared to hand over the landlords bank details (extremely unlikely given what has been said) then this is not an avenue that is going to be of much use. Data protection would prevent the OP from obtaining them by any other means.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,499 ✭✭✭porsche959


    Hire a private detective maybe?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭Wile E. Coyote


    You could always try a private investigation firm. Not sure how long it would take or cost but could be worth a try. You could also try the hospital where he worked to see if they have a forwarding address or number for him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    athtrasna wrote: »
    The unit is not PRTB registered (though it has been reported many times) so can't go down that route.

    Are you sure that you cannot use the PRTB? I know in the case of a tenant dispute it doesnt matter whether the tenancy is registered or not; the tenant can still use the PRTB. Id be surprised if it is not the same in this instance. Use the antisocial behaviour angle; the landlord is obliged to deal with this, and you can make a complaint about him if he doesnt.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,668 ✭✭✭Corkbah


    do you even have a name for the landlord ?

    property registration (land reg) office will allow you to check the owners name of a property, I think it costs €6.50 to check who owns a property (although it could just be areas/sections of land but it could (in theory) give you the details of the landlord, if you didn't have his name.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    djimi wrote: »
    Are you sure that you cannot use the PRTB? I know in the case of a tenant dispute it doesnt matter whether the tenancy is registered or not; the tenant can still use the PRTB. Id be surprised if it is not the same in this instance. Use the antisocial behaviour angle; the landlord is obliged to deal with this, and you can make a complaint about him if he doesnt.

    We have been looking at the third party PRTB option but have little faith in succeeding with it. These tenants have cut clamps off cars, have no respect for common property or for authority or rules. The landlord has vanished so I don't see what a ruling in our favour could even achieve.

    We did have our solicitor trying to trace the landlord and couldn't find him in Ireland or the UK. Will put it to the other directors that maybe we should try an investigation firm. It would be money well spent.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,932 ✭✭✭hinault


    athtrasna wrote: »
    No - the leases specify that the landlords must keep us informed if they rent out the unit, with contact details for them and their tenants. We would not be entitled to ask for bank account details?? These are the same leases that say you must pay management fees....which this landlord also ignores.

    The landlord was originally an owner occupier when he was working at the local hospital, and rented it when he moved to the midlands. It's unlikely that he has any other property. Also our previous management agents managed a lot of developments in the area and he didn't own in any of their other developments.

    The leases are redundant to the extent that the landlord isn't keeping you informed.
    You have no means of contacting him/her and he/she is not staying in contact with you. So let's forget the lease until we find a way of directly contacting the landlord in question.

    Look, a bank account is one very tangible lead to try to track down the landlord.
    I'm trying to help you divine ways of trying to obtain the bank account of the landlord.

    Have you gone to your local political representative to make enquiries?
    It might turn up something.

    My own view is that the bank account lead is the most realistic and quick way of making contact with the landlord.
    It might be the case that the utility companies may have a contact address for the landlord if the properties he controls are still in his name.

    If rent supplement payments are being made to the landlord by the Department of Social Welfare this could be a lead too. I don't know if that information is accessible or is capable of being disclosed to you or anyone else.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    Corkbah wrote: »
    do you even have a name for the landlord ?

    property registration (land reg) office will allow you to check the owners name of a property, I think it costs €6.50 to check who owns a property (although it could just be areas/sections of land but it could (in theory) give you the details of the landlord, if you didn't have his name.

    We have his name, it's quite distinctive. He is the owner of the property still unfortunately.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 31,117 ✭✭✭✭snubbleste


    As neighbours, you can complain to the Prtb about anti-social behaviour. Check the Prtb website.
    http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/an-end-to-residents-lengthy-nightmare-217164.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭Wile E. Coyote


    If he was no longer living in the area there is a chance the rent is being paid to a third party agency/estate agent who should be looking after any maintenance to the property. Google the property address and see if any old rental ads turn up Daft, MyHome etc and contact the advertising estate agent to see if they are still looking after the property or have contact details for the owner.

    You could also do a land registry search to see what that pulls up. Presumably the house wasn't bought as an investment property so the bank could be interested to know that the mortgagee isn't paying interest rates applicable to a rental property.....it's a bit of a dirty tactic but if he's not playing ball and his tenants are a nuisance then tough sh*t.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,332 ✭✭✭valleyoftheunos


    I've seen similar cases where the Owner simply disappears out of the country. It is only when the mortgage provider secures possession of the house, removes the tenants and the rent stops go into the account that they reappear.

    OP finding the landlord may not help you much as he seems unlikely to engage at all. I would suggest seeking legal advice from a solicitor to investigate the possibility of removing the problem tenants on the grounds of their anti-social behaviour. Once he stops getting paid your errant Landlord may turn up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    athtrasna wrote: »
    We have been looking at the third party PRTB option but have little faith in succeeding with it. These tenants have cut clamps off cars, have no respect for common property or for authority or rules. The landlord has vanished so I don't see what a ruling in our favour could even achieve.

    At least it would give you an option of going through the courts and to have these people removed properly, which by the sounds of it is more than you are likely to get from any other avenue that you have tried. Even if you manage to track the landlord down chances are you are going to have to persue him through the PRTB before you get any joy out of him, so you may as well start the ball rolling now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,574 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    There should be some grounds under which the solicitor could seek a prosecution against tenant - anti-social behaviour and littering amongst them.

    Have the solicitor look at the private investigator route.

    Find out what country the landlord is from and check the medical register in that country.

    Have solicitor write to the main banks asking if they have a current contact details for the landlord and should a court order be sought to access those details.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭gline


    Even if the owner has a bank account that the rent is going into, it doesnt mean it will have the correct address on the bank account, it could have an old irish address (which he might not be in the country at this stage). Also unless you can get those details from the tenants directly, there is no way of getting those details yourself.

    Is there no excuse you can you use where the land lord defintley needs to be contacted when talking to the tenants, e.g. something needs to be installed in the property that requires the owners signature? If nothing like that will work, then a private investigator or trying to take the owner to court for non-payment of fees etc is probably the only way. Also if the owner is living out of Ireland at the moment and recieving an Irish rent, there is tax issues involved too. If he isnt paying tax on the rent and neither are the tenants, then the tax man can get involved, and im sure they could track him down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,288 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    I've seen similar cases where the Owner simply disappears out of the country. It is only when the mortgage provider secures possession of the house, removes the tenants and the rent stops go into the account that they reappear.

    OP finding the landlord may not help you much as he seems unlikely to engage at all.


    This.

    It's even possible that no rent is being paid and there is no mortgage. Or that the rent is going in to the mortgage account which keeps the bank happy but that the tenants and bank genuinely don't know where to find the landlord.

    If the tenants got arrested for something it might curb their style.

    Ditto if some aspect of their property started malfunctioning. (Not that I'm suggesting anything here ...)

    You need to get creative.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 200 ✭✭Citycap


    porsche959 wrote: »
    Hire a private detective maybe?

    Posters who recommend contacting PRTB, Threshold etc don't realise how completely useless these quangos are.
    Hire a Private Investigator and let him/her do their job. No need for you to know how it is done. I have done a bit of that work myself and I am not giving anything away when I say that checking of post boxes etc. can yield results.
    The P.I.s have their own way of getting results.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    Citycap wrote: »
    Posters who recommend contacting PRTB, Threshold etc don't realise how completely useless these quangos are.
    Hire a Private Investigator and let him/her do their job. No need for you to know how it is done. I have done a bit of that work myself and I am not giving anything away when I say that checking of post boxes etc. can yield results.
    The P.I.s have their own way of getting results.

    The PRTB may be relatively toothless, but one way or another if the OP wants to get this sorted without resorting to illegal means then they are going to have to engage the PRTB even if they manage to track down the landlord. A PI is not going to be able to sort this mess out once the guy has been found (not that Im saying that a PI might not be useful in finding the guy).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,280 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    athtrasna wrote: »
    We have been looking at the third party PRTB option but have little faith in succeeding with it. These tenants have cut clamps off cars, have no respect for common property or for authority or rules. The landlord has vanished so I don't see what a ruling in our favour could even achieve.

    We did have our solicitor trying to trace the landlord and couldn't find him in Ireland or the UK. Will put it to the other directors that maybe we should try an investigation firm. It would be money well spent.

    the rest of it fair enough, but private clamping is a menace and I myself , aswell as a lot of other members of the public would agree with the tenants on this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    the rest of it fair enough, but private clamping is a menace and I myself , aswell as a lot of other members of the public would agree with the tenants on this.

    A bigger menace is leaseholders who dont pay management fees. Its a real shame that so many people are sheep with their lynchmob mentality to clamping without ever stopping to think that maybe the people who impose the clamping might just have a real genuine reason for needing to resort to such measures.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    Latest update is no luck with bank..tried to chase cheque from original payment...account closed. Our solicitor had already hired and investigator, no luck there. Name confirmed as matching land registry. Currently trying to track down their solicitor who handled their purchase. Investigating 3rd party PRTB complaint too.

    Can't withdraw services, own door apartment, we could change bin shed locks but they'd dump. They've already cut a clamp off a car so that's not an option either.

    Tenants got worse over the weekend too...these are the type of people that give Rent Allowance/Supplement a bad name.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 387 ✭✭peter_dublin


    Actually the lock may be your way out. If you clamp it again and setup CCTV of them cutting it off you can then have them charged and bring charges for criminal damages. There was a case recently enough for this very thing. Also have you contacted the insurance company to consider removing that unit from the block policy and informing the bank of the change.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,627 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    Does the lease provide for forfeiture in the event of non payment?

    Have you tried googling or Facebook search for the distinctive name?

    Were his initials ZS?


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 22,430 CMod ✭✭✭✭Pawwed Rig


    There was a case recently enough for this very thing.
    Do you have more details on this? The common wisdom is that clamping companies (other than Council authorised) will not pursue these claims. Would be interested if you had info to the contrary.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 387 ✭✭peter_dublin


    Pawwed Rig wrote: »
    Do you have more details on this? The common wisdom is that clamping companies (other than Council authorised) will not pursue these claims. Would be interested if you had info to the contrary.

    I'll try dig it out, just in work at the moment I believe it was in the motors section, the issue is not the clamp or the cost of unlocking it as you say, it was the fact they "Cut" the lock off therefore criminally damaging the companies property, the same would apply here. If you remove it without damage there is nothing that can really be done. Key is they cut the lock off.

    Clamp car, set up CCTV (with Signage of course), wait for them to cut it off, call Guards as soon as they do, get solicitor involved. Demand procecution and lodge case with PTRB for anti social behaviour as with CCTV of them dumping in the grounds/selling to their mates etc.

    Note: The above is very rough and there is more detail as the due course of action you need to take etc re each point but the jist is both the tenent and owner are in breech of the lease so unless you take positive action they will run wild which they seem to be doing, by the way if you feel threatened by tenents when you try meet with them that is what the guards are for but I would begin with removing services starting with parking and make sure you get evidence of any breaches of lease / criminal damage.

    Edit: http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/leader-local/limerick-man-fined-for-removing-clamp-from-his-car-1-5183282


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭RATM


    athtrasna wrote: »
    We have his name, it's quite distinctive. He is the owner of the property still unfortunately.

    Have you tried posting a letter with his name on it to his address ? The tenants might just be forwarding any post to him.

    Also have you tried looking for him on Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin ? Also do a google search but put his name in inverted commas so it will only produce exact results to his name

    Other than that a private investigator is your only chance as there isn't a hope in hell you're going to get personal details from his bank. I think they do people searches for about €200-€300, at least that was what I was quoted when I needed to track down a non-paying client last year


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,027 ✭✭✭Lantus


    The MUD act didn't go far enough IMHO in ensuring that members keep up to date details with the OMC. I'd say almost every OMC has this issue including ours and these people use estate agents and other agencies as a shield as they can hide behind them safe in the knowledge of the data protection act keeping them safe.

    In terms of internet if he is a doctor and still practising he should appear somewhere. The USA has some superb tracking sites (just for that country) and internet searches are much more difficult than people realise. People often use aliases and other names to confuse things as well. Keep at it.

    In terms of the tenants contact the dept of welfare and report the tenants and give the address.

    Are there any services you can withdraw? Start a log with the community garda and I think CCTV could be money well spent as littering and being cuaght on film would get them a fine and court date as liter wardens love this stuff as its easy money (like parking tickets.)

    Do they have an aireal or sat dish. obvisouly these are on the common buildings and as you dont have any permission from the landlord you will unfortuantley have to remove them along with any common aerial connection going to their apartment.

    Also get your solicitor to give you the options as to what can be done in terms of getting them out. You have as far as I can see made all reasonable provision to contact the LL and legally its his repsonsibility to ensure he provides his address. Start the hard line approach now and make as many waves as you can.

    Let us know how it goes. There is no standard solution and I'm sure every company director would benefit from any insight and eventual solution you can offer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    All searches have turned up a blank so far, it looks like he's returned to his native country - I've been slow to post any details as we are treading carefully on the race issue but he (and the tenants) are from the continent of Africa, and their country people would have a name (rightly or wrongly) for abusing the system here. But their race isn't the issue, the anti social behaviour of the tenants and the non lease compliance of the landlord is.

    Have searched all social media, a very kind person also checked a lot of subscription databases they had access to and no trace. Name is very distinctive. Have checked medical databases, nothing yet but we can only search in Europe & the US.

    All post currently going to unit (and has done for several years) but to no effect.

    Still working on solicitor who handled purchase, our solicitor investigating forfeiture.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Change the bin locks, let them dump. Take dumped bags to the litter warden, allow the council to prosecute.

    Also search dumped bags for identifying information and speak to HSE or social welfare or whoever provides the rent.

    Try a private detective in his own country - although why would he bother coming back to deal with this?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭RATM


    Lantus wrote: »



    Do they have an aireal or sat dish. obvisouly these are on the common buildings and as you dont have any permission from the landlord you will unfortuantley have to remove them along with any common aerial conne .

    I might be worng but I think I heard something about a case (I think it was an EU court) where by immigrants from outside the EU were permitted to erect satellite dishes on the basis of human rights. The ruling went along the lines of them being allowed access to their own culture and satellite and radio was a large part of that.

    I'm not sure how it would apply vis a vis private property but it came across to me that the EU case was against some sort of mgmt co who were taking down immigrants satellite dishes. If it played out how I think it did then mgmt companies would want to be very careful about dismantling dishes as if there is a non-Eu immigrant in the apartment they could find themselves on the end of a very costly human rights case where the tenant already has a case precedent and therefore a slam dunk win.
    Still working on solicitor who handled purchase, our solicitor investigating forfeiture.

    Forfeiture sounds like it might be an option here. Keep us posted as I'd be interested in how it works and how long it takes.

    Given that you've done extensive searches for this guy online and he hasn't showed up I think you might have to start thinking along the lines that he could either have changed name or else he has one name for his home country and another for here ? I know it sounds bizarre but it is also strange that someone with a distinctive name doesn't show up anywhere online, especially as he is a doctor. Even people who think they are not online really are- something as simple as a mention in a newspaper, a college photo, etc can get you online forever, often without your permission. Or could it be possible that there is more than one way to spell his name ? Maybe do a search for alternative spellings ?

    Either way it also sounds like this guy doesn't want to be found. The main way of flushing him out would be forfeiture proceedings, if he gets a solicitors letter outlining how they intend to seize the apartment if he doesn't play ball then you'll soon find he plays ball. Your only problem is that more than likely any notice served during forfeiture proceedings will have to be by registered and signed post to prove he got it, sending it to his apartment address may not cut the mustard with a judge.

    Best of luck with it OP and keep us posted


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,237 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    RATM wrote: »
    I might be worng but I think I heard something about a case (I think it was an EU court) where by immigrants from outside the EU were permitted to erect satellite dishes on the basis of human rights. The ruling went along the lines of them being allowed access to their own culture and satellite and radio was a large part of that.

    I'm not sure how it would apply vis a vis private property but it came across to me that the EU case was against some sort of mgmt co who were taking down immigrants satellite dishes. If it played out how I think it did then mgmt companies would want to be very careful about dismantling dishes as if there is a non-Eu immigrant in the apartment they could find themselves on the end of a very costly human rights case where the tenant already has a case precedent and therefore a slam dunk win.

    I suspect that there might be ways around this, such as saying that while a dish is permitted, no permission was given to drill holes in the complex walls and as such the tenant will be pursued to repair the structure or face a charge of criminal damage (or something to that effect).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 387 ✭✭peter_dublin


    The satellite can be removed as they don't own the building the management company does and just as you can't out your dish on your neightbours house, a tenent can't place and importantly a landlord can't give approval for a dish on a building they don't own.

    Next, OP, you have two destinct issues here, the Landlord and the tenants and I'd suggest you tackle the tenants headon through your agents if you have some, we as a management company have had similarly troublesome tenants and if one thing is true they will only become more destructive over time. It's no good leaving your solicitor to search for the owner while the tenents run wild, dumping, reselling your waste facilities, criminally damaging the management companies property and seemingly doing as they want. It's your responsibility to the other owners to put an end to this ASAP.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭gline


    RATM wrote: »
    Either way it also sounds like this guy doesn't want to be found.


    This seems to be the main point. What would his reason be for not wanting to be found? Is the property fully paid for or a mortgage in place (in arrears?) ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    gline wrote: »
    This seems to be the main point. What would his reason be for not wanting to be found? Is the property fully paid for or a mortgage in place (in arrears?) ?

    Probably doing a runner on a negative equity situation.

    OP - what about contacting the medical council? Surely they have addresses of doctors allowed to practice in Ireland?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,027 ✭✭✭Lantus


    good idea re locking doors and dumping. any letters or names in there can be gold to the litter warden. Any cctv footage to back it up would make a good case. Its a small job to you to reap rewards. even in the short term it could be worth it. Dont let them get wind of what you are doing like going through the rubbish where they can see you or they will surely leave a nasty surprise in there you dont want. (I would.)

    re the sat dish or aerial just send a letter saying you are doing maintenance and need to take down the equipment for safety reasons as you believe the fixings may be unsecure and represent a health and safety issues or something along those lines. some jobs takes years dont you know whilst 5 minutes without TV can seem like a lifetime.

    if they want to mount an expensive case on the hidepous human rights basis then as tenants I doubt they could as they dont even own the unit. The landlord may be able to which would be a good way to meet him possibly?

    Is there a doctors registration database in the persons country of origin? Might be a start as they tell you where they practice generally.

    dt: do you ned the owner to be appointed rent receiver?? or can it be made against the property and then filed against the tenants to make them pay you direct


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭gline


    Lantus wrote: »

    Is there a doctors registration database in the persons country of origin? Might be a start as they tell you where they practice generally.

    This is a good idea, you can say you were treated by him and need to contact him?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    gline wrote: »
    This is a good idea, you can say you were treated by him and need to contact him?

    Yeah I was thinking about this. It might be worth going to his last place of work and asking for some information.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,027 ✭✭✭Lantus


    gline wrote: »
    This is a good idea, you can say you were treated by him and need to contact him?

    You shouldn't need to say anything as its generally public information but wouldn't hurt to say it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,014 ✭✭✭MonaPizza


    If he was no longer living in the area there is a chance the rent is being paid to a third party agency/estate agent who should be looking after any maintenance to the property. Google the property address and see if any old rental ads turn up Daft, MyHome etc and contact the advertising estate agent to see if they are still looking after the property or have contact details for the owner.

    You could also do a land registry search to see what that pulls up. Presumably the house wasn't bought as an investment property so the bank could be interested to know that the mortgagee isn't paying interest rates applicable to a rental property.....it's a bit of a dirty tactic but if he's not playing ball and his tenants are a nuisance then tough sh*t.

    You could also go one even dirtier. Report the landlord to the Revenue Commissioner. I'd bet the farm he's not paying a dime in taxes on the rental income from the property. The RC would have him flushed out in no time wherever he's hiding.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,627 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    athtrasna wrote: »



    Still working on solicitor who handled purchase, our solicitor investigating forfeiture.

    The threat of forfeiture generally works well in the UK to get payment provided there are no genuine disputes on the lessees side. The forfeiture threat is most strong against the mortgagee (ie the bank) as if the lease becomes forfeit, they are entitled to the net proceeds arising from the grant of a new lease but that's after lots of legal fees and the management charges. Plus as they are not the ones arranging the sale, it will not necessarily produce the best value for them. In the UK, banks will generally establish whether the lessee/householder has a genuine reason to withhold or is disputing (lots of rules for OMCs to screw up on). If they are not actively disputing it, the banks will generally pay some or all of the management charges and add them to the mortgage amount in order to protect their first claim - generally they want to control any sale not leave it to a management company.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭gline


    MonaPizza wrote: »
    You could also go one even dirtier. Report the landlord to the Revenue Commissioner. I'd bet the farm he's not paying a dime in taxes on the rental income from the property. The RC would have him flushed out in no time wherever he's hiding.


    This was mentioned above. Though that could be one reason he is hiding. Maybe he has friends living in the property.
    Also I think it still might be hard for the RC to get a hold of him if he is back home, do they have jurisdiction in Africa?, if thats where he is now.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Oh even better. If he isnt in the country it is actually the responsibility of the tenants to pay the tax on the rental to the revenue - so thats an angle. Report them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9 ork1


    It might be worth trying scientific/ medical journals to see if he published anything. An example is www.scirus.com. Try entering the variations of his name in the "author's name" field. they give contact addresses/ details.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,316 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    If they're on social, make sure they're not working more than allowed. If they are, report them, and when the rent stops coming in, the landlord may make moves to kick them out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,027 ✭✭✭Lantus


    the_syco wrote: »
    If they're on social, make sure they're not working more than allowed. If they are, report them, and when the rent stops coming in, the landlord may make moves to kick them out.

    Revenue, good call. If they are not Prtb registered then would that be a red flag to revenue if you provided them with all that info? Plus the tenants not paying the tax as he's out the country? Revenue could probably 'force' an agent or tenant to cough up that information if needed by applying pressure.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,420 ✭✭✭✭athtrasna


    MonaPizza wrote: »
    You could also go one even dirtier. Report the landlord to the Revenue Commissioner. I'd bet the farm he's not paying a dime in taxes on the rental income from the property. The RC would have him flushed out in no time wherever he's hiding.

    Done about three years ago. Reported to prtb and revenue. No progress


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,332 ✭✭✭valleyoftheunos


    athtrasna wrote: »
    All searches have turned up a blank so far, it looks like he's returned to his native country - I've been slow to post any details as we are treading carefully on the race issue but he (and the tenants) are from the continent of Africa, and their country people would have a name (rightly or wrongly) for abusing the system here. But their race isn't the issue, the anti social behaviour of the tenants and the non lease compliance of the landlord is.

    Have searched all social media, a very kind person also checked a lot of subscription databases they had access to and no trace. Name is very distinctive. Have checked medical databases, nothing yet but we can only search in Europe & the US.

    All post currently going to unit (and has done for several years) but to no effect.

    Still working on solicitor who handled purchase, our solicitor investigating forfeiture.

    If he has left the jurisdiction, particularly if he has returned to Africa there is essentially no chance that you will ever find him. You have a difficult path a head of you trying to remove his tenants and seek judgment against him in his absence.

    the Management Company should seek legal advice in relation to obtaining judgment against the Owner for the unpaid fees with a view to registering a Judgment Mortgage against the property.


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