Serious troubles with room rental

Bemese

Hey Guys,

I am renting a room at the owner's house and I am having serious trouble with them. As I am a licensee I know that I am not protected by the Residential Tenancies Act or PRTB, but I would still like to ask for some advice.

When I moved in to the house we agreed on a rent of €500 per month which includes gas, water, electricity and internet + breakfast. Later the owner told me she would give me a discount if I stayed for 6 month, so I would only have to pay €450 per month if I pay her the 6 months' rent in one go.

She also told me that I can use the cooking facilities. After I paid and moved in it turned out yet, that she doesn't let me cook and asks €60 for lunch (which consists of a sandwich for €2/day). She also wants €200 for dinner/month. Besides that she asks €6 for a load of washing machine, sometimes even if I bring her a small amount of clothes, she still tries to manipulate it into two washes. Had I known these conditions before I moved in, I wouldn't have accepted her offer.

Besides that they breach my privacy as well, sometimes coming into my room without knocking, not letting me go to the doctor alone and trying to curb my personal freedom. The landlady wants to intermingle into my personal life as well, saying bad things of my boyfriend. They are also Jehova's Witnesses and are trying to convert me or involve me in their activities even though I denied interest. They are angry that I have to work on Sunday instead of going to the Kingdom Hall with them.

Above that, a few days ago the landlord restricted my internet access. Before I moved in it was agreed that I can have internet access, as I am working from a home office. Now I can't do that, because they took away my access days ago, and I am on the neighbour's network.

My friends found another accommodation for me where I would like to go, however if I go, then the owners won't give my 5 months' rent back and I am afraid of losing a lot of money. They did that with my Italian house mate too, they took 6 months' rent and now that he has to go home, he is losing about 3 months' rent. Do you guys think I can seek legal help to get my money back? My life is a nightmare here, and I don't think I could stay another 5 months, rental crisis or not...

Gatling

Two words .

Get out

the_syco

Bemese wrote: »

not letting me go to the doctor alone and trying to curb my personal freedom

Consider legal aid, as this sounds illegal!

stevek93

Gatling wrote: »

Two words .

Get out

I agree, it is a civil dispute nothing you can do.

monkeysnapper

Can I suggest you write all down that they have breached your verbal contract and put it to them they can't do it. You,re going to have to be strong here.

Go to a local laundret and get ur clothes done. See if you can either buy in/bring in cooked meals and re heat them in microwave . (make batched food)

Internet,, can you get a dongle , usually cheap enough . 10/15 a month

Just keep ur distance and put up with it to use up at least 3/4 of ur 6 months .

Get hell out of there then.

Hope this advice can help. I was stuck in a bad place once, its no joke

LionelNashe

Have you clearly communicated to them all of the complaints that you have listed above? In a conflict situation it doesn't help to avoid confrontation.

The reason I ask is, when I see you saying that you told them you "have to work on Sunday instead of going to Kingdom Hall with them", I think that you are maybe not being assertive enough. If the main reason you don't go is that you have no interest in going, and you are not happy with them pressurizing you, then it's best to say that. Whether you have to work or not is besides the point.

How could they prevent you from going to the doctor alone?

If you leave without attempting to sort out the issues, then I think it's very unlikely you'll be entitled to money back. For free advice to see if you have any legal options that you can use against them, you could try http://www.flac.ie/

mdebets

Document all complaints with as much evidence as you have. Then meet them together with your boyfriend and go through each complaint and ask them to rectify them. If they won't rectify them, tell them that you want out of the contract and that you want your money back, otherwise you would have to sue them (I think the small claims court would apply for this).

If they don't rectify your complaints and don't give you your money back, you might also consider to threaten them to report them to the elders of their Jehova's Witnesses congregation (they do have a very strict disciplinary system). They might back down after this threat.

handlemaster

Bemese wrote: »

Hey Guys,

I am renting a room at the owner's house and I am having serious trouble with them. As I am a licensee I know that I am not protected by the Residential Tenancies Act or PRTB, but I would still like to ask for some advice.

When I moved in to the house we agreed on a rent of €500 per month which includes gas, water, electricity and internet + breakfast. Later the owner told me she would give me a discount if I stayed for 6 month, so I would only have to pay €450 per month if I pay her the 6 months' rent in one go.

She also told me that I can use the cooking facilities. After I paid and moved in it turned out yet, that she doesn't let me cook and asks €60 for lunch (which consists of a sandwich for €2/day). She also wants €200 for dinner/month. Besides that she asks €6 for a load of washing machine, sometimes even if I bring her a small amount of clothes, she still tries to manipulate it into two washes. Had I known these conditions before I moved in, I wouldn't have accepted her offer.

Besides that they breach my privacy as well, sometimes coming into my room without knocking, not letting me go to the doctor alone and trying to curb my personal freedom. The landlady wants to intermingle into my personal life as well, saying bad things of my boyfriend. They are also Jehova's Witnesses and are trying to convert me or involve me in their activities even though I denied interest. They are angry that I have to work on Sunday instead of going to the Kingdom Hall with them.

Above that, a few days ago the landlord restricted my internet access. Before I moved in it was agreed that I can have internet access, as I am working from a home office. Now I can't do that, because they took away my access days ago, and I am on the neighbour's network.

My friends found another accommodation for me where I would like to go, however if I go, then the owners won't give my 5 months' rent back and I am afraid of losing a lot of money. They did that with my Italian house mate too, they took 6 months' rent and now that he has to go home, he is losing about 3 months' rent. Do you guys think I can seek legal help to get my money back? My life is a nightmare here, and I don't think I could stay another 5 months, rental crisis or not...

Ahh move out.. Nothing good will come of this situation.

Bemese

Thanks guys. I wouldn't really like to leave €1800 with these people and unfortunately it's very hard to put up with their behaviour, so we'll consider the small claims court.

ongarite

Why did you pay up front for complete term of the rental?

handlemaster

Bemese wrote: »

Thanks guys. I wouldn't really like to leave €1800 with these people and unfortunately it's very hard to put up with their behaviour, so we'll consider the small claims court.

Best option if you can bring a claim. Maybe look into the 'rules ' that JW have to follow might be enough . . After you move out perhaps could say your going to write to the watchtower with your issues and their behaviour. ...

the_syco

handlemaster wrote: »

Best option if you can bring a claim. Maybe look into the 'rules ' that JW have to follow might be enough . . After you move out perhaps could say your going to write to the watchtower with your issues and their behaviour. ...

And do so regardless :pac:

Bemese

ongarite wrote: »

Why did you pay up front for complete term of the rental?

Because they gave me a discount for long term stay and of course they didn't tell me about them being JW or about the other tricky things.

Bemese

In the meantime I found out that the property belongs to an agency (DNG Creedon) and these guys are just renting it. I guess I can call the agency and let them know that they are illegally subletting the property.

cronos

Bemese wrote: »

In the meantime I found out that the property belongs to an agency (DNG Creedon) and these guys are just renting it. I guess I can call the agency and let them know that they are illegally subletting the property.

Bingo!!!

punisher5112

You could use to your benefit op and play that with the one you paid see what they are like then.

Sounds very close to becoming their slave if it were me i would be gone or there would be 2 ambulances needed.

Lemming

Bemese wrote: »

In the meantime I found out that the property belongs to an agency (DNG Creedon) and these guys are just renting it. I guess I can call the agency and let them know that they are illegally subletting the property.

Do that after you leave as it'll be you that gets ejected first.

Before you attempt to go through the small claims court (assuming it gets to that ... ), go through their church elders; most direct - and I dare say effective - route.

SB_Part2

How old are you OP?

I find them going to the doctor with you extremely odd.

punisher5112

SB_Part2 wrote: »

How old are you OP?

I find them going to the doctor with you extremely odd.

I would call it extremely worrying and they obviously are wearing her down to convert.

Sounds very cult like tactics and op seriously needs to get out.


You dont know what they are capable of.

AndyBoBandy

SB_Part2 wrote: »

I find them going to the doctor with you extremely odd.

I would find it utterly bizarre

Mrs OBumble

We don't know how old the OP is, what their spoken English is like, and whether they could find the doctor's surgery without assistance.

It's very, very unlikely that the doctor would see the OP with anyone else in the room, unless a translator was needed.

Possibly the home-stay parents (which is what a deal that includes accommodation, bills, breakfast and internet sounds like) may have a contract with the college etc that they provide transport to medical appointments.

Bemese

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

We don't know how old the OP is, what their spoken English is like, and whether they could find the doctor's surgery without assistance.

It's very, very unlikely that the doctor would see the OP with anyone else in the room, unless a translator was needed.

Possibly the home-stay parents (which is what a deal that includes accommodation, bills, breakfast and internet sounds like) may have a contract with the college etc that they provide transport to medical appointments.

I am 36, my English is good enough, so I don't need to avail of the services of a translator. They took me in first, because I was very sick and couldn't have gone alone, but the woman started talking to my doctor in a way that she had to ask back "and who are you"? No such agreement was made with parents or college that they'll transfer me to the doctor.

As I have to regularly visit a doctor due to a B12 deficiency, they wanted to take me by car to the second appointment and wanted to pick me up after the appointment. I had to force my way out of it. But they started harassing me on the phone, I have a proof of that.

The_Conductor

Bemese-

You need to get out asap.
Your B12 deficiency- just needs to be monitored- i.e. via blood tests- there is a critical illness forum where a number of posters with B12 deficiencies post (including myself).

It sounds like you're going to have to leave asap- and pursue repayment of the 2 grand odd- after the fact- there is no merit in staying just because they owe you the money.

irishgirl19

Leave and go to small claims court

April 73

Bermese - you're 36, a grown-up. You need to leave this situation. Set out the reasons why to your landlords & why you no longer want to stay. Ask for the return of your unused rent & that you wish to end the arrangement in a civilised fashion.
If they become tricky then you have the fall-back of contacting the church or the letting agency. Perhaps the threat of doing so will actually be enough.
But your immediate concern should be finding a new place to live. There's no benefit to you to staying.

fryup

am i missing something???

how how the hell can they stop you from going to a doctor on your own????????

are you confined to a wheelchair or disabled in some way???

Bemese

April 73 wrote: »

Bermese - you're 36, a grown-up. You need to leave this situation. Set out the reasons why to your landlords & why you no longer want to stay. Ask for the return of your unused rent & that you wish to end the arrangement in a civilised fashion.
If they become tricky then you have the fall-back of contacting the church or the letting agency. Perhaps the threat of doing so will actually be enough.
But your immediate concern should be finding a new place to live. There's no benefit to you to staying.

Yes, I am looking at a place in a friend's house next Wednesday and if that becomes available I'll move out at the beginning of May. Otherwise I'll look further, though I am a bit afraid of the housing crisis. The first concern will be to get out.

Bemese

fryup wrote: »

am i missing something???

how how the hell can they stop you from going to a doctor on your own????????

are you confined to a wheelchair or disabled in some way???

No I am neither in a wheelchair nor am I disabled. They just want to take me by car when I step out of the door even though I told them no. Of course the first time I let them do it, because I was very sick. But the second time when I had to go to my B12 injection I didn't want them to come and said no. They also wanted to pick me up after my doctor's appointment and take me home. I didn't let them do that and they started phoning me asking where I was and why I didn't go home with them.

Speedwell

Bemese wrote: »

No I am neither in a wheelchair nor am I disabled. They just want to take me by car when I step out of the door even though I told them no. Of course the first time I let them do it, because I was very sick. But the second time when I had to go to my B12 injection I didn't want them to come and said no. They also wanted to pick me up after my doctor's appointment and take me home. I didn't let them do that and they started phoning me asking where I was and why I didn't go home with them.

WTF. I would be thinking they wanted to know whether I was being treated for something "sinful" or requesting birth control or (horrors) getting or giving blood. Forget that. I would be reporting them to the police in case they made a habit of that controlling, abusive BS. Next thing they'll be forbidding you to leave the house altogether (and since the rent's paid up for six months, what do you need to leave the house for, anyway...).

SarahS2013

Bizarre...

Just FYI though, technically they're not subletting as it's a licencee agreement. Subletting is where a tenant would be letting out the entire place.
They would also only be in breach of this provided they are currently in a fixed term contract with this stated in the terms of it.

The_Conductor

Bemese wrote: »

No I am neither in a wheelchair nor am I disabled. They just want to take me by car when I step out of the door even though I told them no. Of course the first time I let them do it, because I was very sick. But the second time when I had to go to my B12 injection I didn't want them to come and said no. They also wanted to pick me up after my doctor's appointment and take me home. I didn't let them do that and they started phoning me asking where I was and why I didn't go home with them.

It really is outside the remit of this forum for me to state this- however- most GPs allow patients give themselves B12 (either Cytamen or Neocytamen i.e. Cyanocobalamin) injections. Its nothing out of the ordinary. Talk to your GP- it'll save you a lot of visits.

As for the current situation- just get the hell out of there- life is too short. Whether or not you get the money back- is secondary- of primary concern- you need to get the hell out of there asap.

This situation is bizarre.

Mrs OBumble

I agree that you need to get somewhere else: there's no way that this can become a happy situation for you.

But I can still see that there is another side to this story: You agreed to a very unusual type of room rental - more like on-going BnB than house sharing. You'd barely arrived in these people's house when you got so sick that they had to take you to the doctor. I'd say that most home-owners would be pretty freaked by that, and would be expressing on-going concern about your wellbeing.

Bemese

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I agree that you need to get somewhere else: there's no way that this can become a happy situation for you.

But I can still see that there is another side to this story: You agreed to a very unusual type of room rental - more like on-going BnB than house sharing. You'd barely arrived in these people's house when you got so sick that they had to take you to the doctor. I'd say that most home-owners would be pretty freaked by that, and would be expressing on-going concern about your wellbeing.

I didn't agree to her asking €260 for food or €6 for laundry load. Had I known that before moving in, I would have never ever moved in, that's for sure. The wife only told these costs to me when I was already in there. The thing is also, that as far as I know official BnBs have to be approved and advertised. This accommodation wasn't advertised as a BnB, there are no signs, that this is a BnB, it's just a regular house. So in case they operate this as a BnB it's illegal.

SarahS2013

Have you a written agreement from them regarding the lease?

Bemese

SarahS2013 wrote: »

Have you a written agreement from them regarding the lease?

No. I only got a receipt from them.

SarahS2013

Does the receipt say for what you've paid? i.e. one double bedroom, or B&B or...?

Bemese

SarahS2013 wrote: »

Does the receipt say for what you've paid? i.e. one double bedroom, or B&B or...?

It says rental of a single-occupancy room for a period of six months. So definitely not a BnB.

SarahS2013

Yeah, I find it absolutely bizarre they're looking for extra money. Have you a screenshot of the original ad on daft or anything?
They sound like a pair of fruit-loops either way..

Mrs OBumble

Bemese wrote: »

as far as I know official BnBs have to be approved and advertised. This accommodation wasn't advertised as a BnB, there are no signs, that this is a BnB, it's just a regular house. So in case they operate this as a BnB it's illegal.

No, not necessarily at all.

If someone is offering you bed and breakfast, then that by definition it is a "bed and breakfast".

There is such thing as official BnBs. There are ones that are registered with Failte Ireland, and which can therefore advertise themselves in specific ways. And there are planning conditions that home-owners have to comply with - which may say "no short term letting".

But that's all pretty irrelevant.

My point is simply that there are at least two sides to every story. While most posters are sympathising with you totally, I'm wondering what exactly is going on, and why any adult would accept and pay up-front for this type of accommodation in the first place (with or without extra fees) and if there might be more to the story than you're telling.

Bemese

SarahS2013 wrote: »

Yeah, I find it absolutely bizarre they're looking for extra money. Have you a screenshot of the original ad on daft or anything?
They sound like a pair of fruit-loops either way..

They didn't advertise it on daft, they found me on facebook.

Bemese

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

No, not necessarily at all.

If someone is offering you bed and breakfast, then that by definition it is a "bed and breakfast".

There is such thing as official BnBs. There are ones that are registered with Failte Ireland, and which can therefore advertise themselves in specific ways. And there are planning conditions that home-owners have to comply with - which may say "no short term letting".

But that's all pretty irrelevant.

My point is simply that there are at least two sides to every story. While most posters are sympathising with you totally, I'm wondering what exactly is going on, and why any adult would accept and pay up-front for this type of accommodation in the first place (with or without extra fees) and if there might be more to the story than you're telling.

The reason is housing crisis. We were evicted from our previous tenancy and as I have to work from home I needed something urgently and it was very difficult to find room at a proper price. I can't afford to pay €700-800 for accommodation as I start my master's degree in September and will have to concentrate on that.

The_Conductor

Just get out of there. I appreciate that you're down 1,800- however, deal with that issue separately- you need to get out of there asap.

SarahS2013

Bemese wrote: »

They didn't advertise it on daft, they found me on facebook.

Screams dodgy to me.
I'm actually a little worried for you!

Bemese

SarahS2013 wrote: »

Screams dodgy to me.
I'm actually a little worried for you!

I know it's not easy to find something else, but will try to get out of here as soon as possible.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

April 73

Bemese wrote: »

They didn't advertise it on daft, they found me on facebook.

I also find this strange. Did you advertise looking for a room on a FB page?

Have you had a chat with your LLs yet?

Stheno

Bemese wrote: »

The reason is housing crisis. We were evicted from our previous tenancy and as I have to work from home I needed something urgently and it was very difficult to find room at a proper price. I can't afford to pay €700-800 for accommodation as I start my master's degree in September and will have to concentrate on that.

Why were you evicted from your last rental and what did the others you were living with do for accommodation?

hytrogen

Bemese wrote:

In the meantime I found out that the property belongs to an agency (DNG Creedon) and these guys are just renting it. I guess I can call the agency and let them know that they are illegally subletting the property.

Lads & lassies, if she reports them to the PRTB after she moves out what are the consequences for the tenants?
Am I right in saying there's a 'bad tenants registry' on the PRTB or am I thinking of something else??

athtrasna

hytrogen wrote: »

Lads & lassies, if she reports them to the PRTB after she moves out what are the consequences for the tenants?
Am I right in saying there's a 'bad tenants registry' on the PRTB or am I thinking of something else??

Nothing to do with the RTB as the op is living with owner occupiers.

No such registry either.

hytrogen

athtrasna wrote:

Nothing to do with the RTB as the op is living with owner occupiers.

No such registry either.

Ta!
I thought she said the occupiers were renting the property but might have crossed wires..
I'll continue this idea in another thread anyway..