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Tenant issues

  • 21-11-2017 7:55am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22


    We've a new tenant since end of July 17. Since they moved in there's been nothing but issues . They are late paying rent and the demands are getting ridiculous ( new windows for example )

    This months rent was due yesterday and they've left us short over 300€- when I emailed them they said it was for materials for flooring and painting and they will send us on the invoice ! At no point did we agree any of this . One month my husband agreed that they could deduct the price of paint for the spare room and that was fine but that was only once .
    I'm just sick of this . We've bought them a new oven this month and paid a plumber too and now they've left us short for work they fancied doing without speaking to us first
    Any suggestions ?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,781 ✭✭✭dennyk


    A new oven is a reasonable request if the old one was broken or non-functional, as is a plumber if there was a plumbing issue that needed fixing (and it wasn't something caused by the tenant). Everything else is just taking the piss, really; unless the state of the property is truly dire, it's unreasonable for a tenant to be demanding repainting and new flooring and windows, and having it done themselves and deducting from the rent without permission is absurd.

    Do you have a signed lease with them? If not, they aren't under Part 4 yet, so just serve them a 28 day notice of termination immediately; make sure all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed. You don't need a reason to do so at this stage of the tenancy, so there's no grounds for dispute on the tenant's part. Check the RTB site at:

    https://www.rtb.ie/dispute-resolution/dispute-resolution/sample-notices-of-termination

    for the requirements and some samples.

    Even if they are under a signed lease, they've probably broken it by underpaying their rent, so you can likely serve them notice in any case. However, you might be required to serve them a 14-day notice of rent arrears first and if they correct the arrears within that time, you may not be able to evict. That is the case for Part 4 tenancies for sure, but I'm not sure if it applies to non-Part 4 tenancies under a fixed term lease; you may want to contact the RTB for advice. Whichever is the case, make sure you follow all the requirements to the letter and document that you've done so, as it will help your case if the tenants choose to dispute it or refuse to leave.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,283 ✭✭✭The Student


    m.i.l.f wrote: »
    We've a new tenant since end of July 17. Since they moved in there's been nothing but issues . They are late paying rent and the demands are getting ridiculous ( new windows for example )

    This months rent was due yesterday and they've left us short over 300€- when I emailed them they said it was for materials for flooring and painting and they will send us on the invoice ! At no point did we agree any of this . One month my husband agreed that they could deduct the price of paint for the spare room and that was fine but that was only once .
    I'm just sick of this . We've bought them a new oven this month and paid a plumber too and now they've left us short for work they fancied doing without speaking to us first
    Any suggestions ?

    You need to stop this now. They are testing you to see how far they can push you. Advise them they need to make payment of the outstanding amount of the rent and if they don't issue eviction notice.

    In regards the windows, if they are functioning then don't change them. Ironically I was letting one of my properties earlier in the year and the tenants I had agreed to let the property too wanted new carpets and curtains before they would move in. This was a red flag to me I said no and advised them that I would not be letting the property to them. They then came back and said they would replace both themselves. I still said no.

    I have different tenants in the property and if they asked could I change the carpet I would as they are decent tenants who keep the place nice and are no trouble.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 239 ✭✭Mitzy


    If these tenants are like this after 3 months & not paying full rent it's time to take action. Otherwise you are going to have nothing but trouble on your hands for the rest of the tenancy & especially when they have Part 4.
    I had similar issues with a tenant in the past that proved to be a nightmare & I wish that I had taken action when her behavior became apparent. At the moment it should be easy to rent out the property so why have to deal with problem tenants when you can have hassle free ones.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 m.i.l.f


    Thanks all. Yes there is a lease but they are under 6 months there .

    Yes the oven and plumber were reasonable requests but it just feels like we are constantly either chasing rent or answering emails on requests of work to be done .

    I'll issue a warning letter this week to them highlighting the issues and then take it from there .
    It's so draining though I'm weary from it all
    Thanks all


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Ms Doubtfire1


    just evict them.It's not going to get any better.in the first 6 month you can end the lease without giving any reason


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,610 ✭✭✭✭DrPhilG


    just evict them.It's not going to get any better.in the first 6 month you can end the lease without giving any reason

    Damn straight.

    That much BS after only a few months is a big red flag. And the withholding rent without authorisation for work done is completely taking the pi$s.

    Hoof em.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,094 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    m.i.l.f wrote: »
    Thanks all. Yes there is a lease but they are under 6 months there .

    Yes the oven and plumber were reasonable requests but it just feels like we are constantly either chasing rent or answering emails on requests of work to be done .

    I'll issue a warning letter this week to them highlighting the issues and then take it from there .
    It's so draining though I'm weary from it all
    Thanks all

    Give them their notice, Ms Doubtfire1 they will only get worse, this is your only chance to end it now. Down load the statutory notice off the RTB site and give to them, don't discuss it further with then, just say you feel it not working out and you would like them to move. Beyond that is negotiating with them and is only going to bring trouble on you.


  • Posts: 24,714 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Never mind warning letter, just issue an eviction notice immediately.

    That being said it might be more difficult because there is a lease, another example of why LLs should never give fixed term leases as makes it much more difficult to use one of the few powers they have left - termination within the first 6 months.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Start the formal process of ending the tenancy for rent arrears.

    As they have made deductions from the rent, they are in arrears.

    https://www.rtb.ie/dispute-resolution/dispute-resolution/the-three-stages-of-a-tenancy/my-tenant-is-in-rent-arrears


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 m.i.l.f


    Thanks all 14 day arrears letter posted today - though I'm thinking just evict as we will probably be back to square one if they pay the balance .


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭GGTrek


    m.i.l.f wrote: »
    Thanks all 14 day arrears letter posted today - though I'm thinking just evict as we will probably be back to square one if they pay the balance .
    OP please answer the big question: have you or have you not granted a fixed term lease to these tenants?

    If you haven't then screw the warning and immediately issue the no reason termination notice: https://www.rtb.ie/docs/default-source/notice-of-terminations-landlord-pdf/sample-notice---terminating-in-first-six-months.pdf?sfvrsn=2

    If you instead were crazy enough to grant a fixed term beyond 5 months then good luck, you will need it.

    I have just issued a termination notice notice to two tenants in the first 6 months just because they delayed rent by a few days for the second time (first time I told them that punctual payment of rent is of the essence). This time I told them it was not my job to remind them to pay rent on time! With the govvie and RTB against you, you have to be brutal to stay in the business.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 m.i.l.f


    GGTrek wrote: »
    OP please answer the big question: have you or have you not granted a fixed term lease to these tenants?

    If you haven't then screw the warning and immediately issue the no reason termination notice: https://www.rtb.ie/docs/default-source/notice-of-terminations-landlord-pdf/sample-notice---terminating-in-first-six-months.pdf?sfvrsn=2

    If you instead were crazy enough to grant a fixed term beyond 5 months then good luck, you will need it.

    I have just issued a termination notice notice to two tenants in the first 6 months just because they delayed rent by a few days for the second time (first time I told them that punctual payment of rent is of the essence). This time I told them it was not my job to remind them to pay rent on time! With the govvie and RTB against you, you have to be brutal to stay in the business.

    We issued a 1 year lease - dated July 2017


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,514 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    m.i.l.f wrote: »
    Thanks all 14 day arrears letter posted today - though I'm thinking just evict as we will probably be back to square one if they pay the balance .
    Give any idea of eviction second thought and consult someone qualified before you even mention the word to them as an eviction at this point would be highly illegal. See how they respond to the notice of arrears, with any luck they'll ignore it. Do you have proof they got it actually?

    I'd keep everything in writing from now on. If they call either refuse to talk or follow up with an email repeating the outcome of the conversation.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,094 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    m.i.l.f wrote: »
    We issued a 1 year lease - dated July 2017

    Give them an eviction notice with in the first 6 months forget about the lease that nothing to do with the RTB it's a contract between the tenant and you which I think they have already broken. If they get beyond 6 months you are stuck with them for 4 years, they will always mess you about


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 m.i.l.f


    Give them an eviction notice with in the first 6 months forget about the lease that nothing to do with the RTB it's a contract between the tenant and you which I think they have already broken. If they get beyond 6 months you are stuck with them for 4 years, they will always mess you about

    Thanks - I didn't realise that .

    I think I will it's way too much hassle , worry and financial strain on us


  • Posts: 24,714 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    TheChizler wrote: »
    Give any idea of eviction second thought and consult someone qualified before you even mention the word to them as an eviction at this point would be highly illegal.

    Why would it be highly illegal? You can terminate within the first 6 moths for any reason you wish. The lease does complicate things but saying "it would be highly illegal" is hyperbole. I'd argue the lease has been broken by them and issue the eviction notice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭GGTrek


    m.i.l.f wrote: »
    GGTrek wrote: »
    OP please answer the big question: have you or have you not granted a fixed term lease to these tenants?

    If you haven't then screw the warning and immediately issue the no reason termination notice: https://www.rtb.ie/docs/default-source/notice-of-terminations-landlord-pdf/sample-notice---terminating-in-first-six-months.pdf?sfvrsn=2

    If you instead were crazy enough to grant a fixed term beyond 5 months then good luck, you will need it.

    I have just issued a termination notice notice to two tenants in the first 6 months just because they delayed rent by a few days for the second time (first time I told them that punctual payment of rent is of the essence). This time I told them it was not my job to remind them to pay rent on time! With the govvie and RTB against you, you have to be brutal to stay in the business.

    We issued a 1 year lease - dated July 2017
    Oh Dear! I really feel for you. Then issue the late rent payment warning and pray they will not pay within 14 days.
    A landlord should NEVER provide fixed term. I could show you a tribunal RTB report issued very recently where the fixed term is really only binding the landlord. The tenant could get out of the fixed term by simply sending you an assignment letter where he assigns the lease to a bum found on the side of the road today. If you refuse tenant is free from term sInce the RTA conveniently "forgets" to mention that landlord should have the right to opine on the assignee! The current RTA is a tenant's charter, the lease without fixed term is for the protection of the landlord only.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭GGTrek


    OP if you have written this is a lease for a FIXED term of 12 months you will not be able to give the no reason termination notice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 Sasha144


    What would you suggest landlords do for new tenants, give no lease at all and if things are going well then let them take their part IV rights after 6 months?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 239 ✭✭Mitzy


    And people wonder why landlords are selling up in droves........


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,059 ✭✭✭✭Spanish Eyes


    Is there a need for a lease or agreement for a non fixed term. i.e let's see how it goes for a less than six months "trial period"?

    What if the tenants refuse to leave even if a termination notice sub six months can be issued with no defined reason?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,599 ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    Sasha144 wrote: »
    What would you suggest landlords do for new tenants, give no lease at all and if things are going well then let them take their part IV rights after 6 months?

    Well they can take their part iv rihts after a year's fixed term lease so no lease at all is better for landlords.

    Give the warning letter for non payment and hope they don't pay so can continue on towards eviction. I'm sure you may also be able to terminate on the basis of criminal damage to your flooring but I would advise legal advice.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Sasha144 wrote: »
    What would you suggest landlords do for new tenants, give no lease at all and if things are going well then let them take their part IV rights after 6 months?

    Tenants get their part 4 rights with or without a lease.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,781 ✭✭✭dennyk


    It's probably best to have a lease agreement of some sort regardless, even if it doesn't specify a term, so that you can outline the tenant's obligations in writing (e.g. when rent is due and how it can be paid, how the tenant should handle maintenance issues, who is responsible for paying for utility services, etc.) to make everything clear so that there can be no he-said-she-said dispute over certain terms of the tenancy later on.

    A fixed term lease has pluses and minuses for both parties. On the tenant's side, it ensures security of tenure for the entire term of the lease, including the first six month period before Part 4 rights kick in, assuming there isn't a no-reason break clause for the landlord. On the landlord's side, it locks the tenant in for the fixed term and, should the tenant break the lease, allows the landlord to pursue them for monetary losses incurred while re-letting the property (including the rent owed for any period it was unoccupied, assuming the landlord made a reasonable effort to re-let ASAP), which helps protect you (or at least mitigates your losses) from flaky tenants who up and leave after a short period. Whether that is worth locking yourself into a lease that extends beyond the initial six months is up to you (though in the current landlord-friendly market, it doesn't seem like you'd have much trouble finding a new tenant quickly in the event yours takes a runner anyway).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,059 ✭✭✭✭Spanish Eyes


    Graham wrote: »
    Tenants get their part 4 rights with or without a lease.

    After six months though, I thought?

    I was just wondering if a LL said OK in you go but it's only for a trial period of six months. Is that legal too., in order to be able to terminate without any reason within or at the end of the six month period?

    And does anyone know (as I mentioned earlier) if LL has to say in writing by agreement etc that the lease is for first six months initially?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,514 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Why would it be highly illegal? You can terminate within the first 6 moths for any reason you wish. The lease does complicate things but saying "it would be highly illegal" is hyperbole. I'd argue the lease has been broken by them and issue the eviction notice.
    I misread that they were there over 6 months not under so ignore the illegal bit.

    I'd still get legal advice to be safe though, if just to make sure the notice is properly worded and there's no loophole in the lease, like neglecting to say rent in arrears is grounds for terminating the lease. Unlikely but I've seen some badly drafted leases.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 181 ✭✭maurice1


    Minister Kelly Labour changed the 4 year to 6 year so with only 1 probation period of 6 months. Previously there was a probation period after every part 4 came to an end. Leases only protect tenants and put further constraints on Landlords. If I was you I would call the IPOA.ie for fully up to date advise.

    https://www.rtb.ie/search-results/news/article/2016/12/23/changes-to-policy-and-the-law
    Security of Tenure

    Security for both landlords and tenants is essential if the rental sector is to be both an attractive option for tenants and a safe and viable investment choice for investors. The rental strategy aims to move towards a situation where longer term tenancies are the norm. The legislation extends tenancies from 4 years to 6 year tenancies. This will apply to all new tenancies that come into operation after 24th December 2016 which includes a further Part 4 tenancy that come into existence after 24th December 2016. Landlords currently can terminate within the first six months of a tenancy without giving a reason. Once a Part 4 tenancy comes into existence it can only be terminated by using one of the grounds listed below.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,100 ✭✭✭Browney7


    TheChizler wrote: »
    I misread that they were there over 6 months not under so ignore the illegal bit.

    I'd still get legal advice to be safe though, if just to make sure the notice is properly worded and there's no loophole in the lease, like neglecting to say rent in arrears is grounds for terminating the lease. Unlikely but I've seen some badly drafted leases.

    But isn't the whole problem if the OP seeks to terminate the tenancy before the cessation of the fixed term he/she needs to specify what grounds? If it's for being in rent arrears the tenant gets 14 days to rectify the situation.

    Best bet is use grounds of damage to property (painting and flooring without permission) but again, tenant could rectify this. Will be difficult to remove tenants.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    maurice1 wrote: »
    Landlords currently can terminate within the first six months of a tenancy without giving a reason. Once a Part 4 tenancy comes into existence it can only be terminated by using one of the grounds listed below.

    Assuming the landlord hasn't granted the tenant additional rights by way of a fixed term lease.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,781 ✭✭✭dennyk


    It's possible that the 14 day notice to make good on the arrears might not be required under a fixed term lease where the tenant hasn't yet acquired Part 4 tenancy rights. If being in arrears at all invalidates the lease as it is written and thus the lease is no longer in force, then only the RTA would apply and the tenancy could be terminated with a 28 day notice for any reason at that point.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,059 ✭✭✭✭Spanish Eyes


    Looks to me that LLs have a six month trial period for tenants.

    If you mess up out you go, no reason needed.

    But then again I suppose the messing might only start after month six. Jayzis


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,514 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Browney7 wrote: »
    But isn't the whole problem if the OP seeks to terminate the tenancy before the cessation of the fixed term he/she needs to specify what grounds? If it's for being in rent arrears the tenant gets 14 days to rectify the situation.
    Depending on the wording of the lease the terms may already have been breached by the tenant so it would no longer be in effect, in which case the landlord can go ahead and give the 28 days notice without reason. But there's an assumption there, hence they should consult someone to be sure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭GGTrek


    dennyk wrote: »
    It's probably best to have a lease agreement of some sort regardless, even if it doesn't specify a term, so that you can outline the tenant's obligations in writing (e.g. when rent is due and how it can be paid, how the tenant should handle maintenance issues, who is responsible for paying for utility services, etc.) to make everything clear so that there can be no he-said-she-said dispute over certain terms of the tenancy later on.

    A fixed term lease has pluses and minuses for both parties. On the tenant's side, it ensures security of tenure for the entire term of the lease, including the first six month period before Part 4 rights kick in, assuming there isn't a no-reason break clause for the landlord. On the landlord's side, it locks the tenant in for the fixed term and, should the tenant break the lease, allows the landlord to pursue them for monetary losses incurred while re-letting the property (including the rent owed for any period it was unoccupied, assuming the landlord made a reasonable effort to re-let ASAP), which helps protect you (or at least mitigates your losses) from flaky tenants who up and leave after a short period. Whether that is worth locking yourself into a lease that extends beyond the initial six months is up to you (though in the current landlord-friendly market, it doesn't seem like you'd have much trouble finding a new tenant quickly in the event yours takes a runner anyway).
    While I totally agree that a written tenancy agrement is absolutely necessary to set the rules of the tenancy (no pets, no smoking, no noise, no holes in walls, no painting the walls, ...) in order to protect the landlord (the tenant has already got the RTA to protect him). I have just shown in my post above that fixed term is only advantageous for the tenant (who can get out anytime with some bu..it assignment) and absolutely deleterious for a landlord since it cancels the only period when the landlord can really put the tenant on probation: the first 6 months, where the law is still as it used to be pre-2004: tenant screws up or it does not make business sense, he is served 28 days termination notice and at least on the theoretical legal side the landlord is fine (problem then is enforcing eviction).

    So landlords should avoid FIXED terms in their tenancy agreements at all cost. I still see in daft.ie those wicked estate/letting agents putting "minimum term 12 months": in my opinion they are a bunch of self-serving people preying on the landlord for their easy and unearned letting fee that they would like to renew every year. By putting 12 months fixed term they are screwing the landlord now for 6 years!!!

    Last time I used a letting agent and a fixed term tenancy was 2015: never again! Why should I pay a fee to an agent who is not responsible for its own actions? In addition a few tenants (I had one) as soon as they get the fixed term they will feel entitled, like I want a new colour for the paint or the painting work is not great (I kid you not this happened to me for real with a tenant selected by a letting agent on a fixed 12 months term, both the tenant and the agent are out of the window, but it took me a two long years to get rid of them), now as I said above if I hear bu...t like that the tenants are out of the door at the second request or the second f..k up (the first time I explain that their request/behaviour is unacceptable and will put at risk their tenancy, the second time I provide termination notice).

    I my experience if a tenant starts like the OP's tenant he/she will be trouble that is only going to worsen during the tenancy (6 long years of tenancy now!) and will believe that the landlord accommodating attitude is actual stupidity! Believe me when the tenants receive the termination notice they all jump and start to shout all sorts of stupid excuses for their stupid previous behaviour (or just plainly lie in my face :D) and some of them say they will go to the other dysfunctional organization called Threshold (it is a pleasure to then see their attitude when they are told the termination is valid by none less than the dysfunctional employees of Threshold, but sometimes they are still told to go to RTB or overhold and then badly loose, problem is the cost and time for me of this whole process).

    As I said a landlord in the current Irish housing environment has to be educated, smart and very determined with the tenants (avoid leaving an inch or they will take a mile) otherwise his/her business will go south very quickly. Unfortunately some tenants are too stupid and they can't even understand why they have received a termination notice.
    I must also say that the quality of tenants has improved massively in Dublin due to the housing crisis and nowadays I mostly get educated professionals or postgraduate students who usually understand well what their responsibilities start and where my duties stop.

    An additional thing that I always explain to new tenants is that I only provide a 6+2 months tenancy which means that towards the end of the 6th month I provide a no reason termination notice even if they have been great tenants.I use the section 65(4) rule "(4) If the duration of the tenancy concerned is less than 6 months, a period of notice of more than 70 days may not be given in respect of it." together with section 61 " (1) A reference in this Part to a particular period of notice to be given by the notice of termination concerned is a reference to such a period that begins on the day immediately following the date of service of the notice.
    (2) A reference in this Part to the duration of a tenancy is a reference to the period beginning on the day on which the tenancy came into existence or the relevant date, if later, and ending on the date of service of the notice of termination concerned."

    Do I want part 4 tenants? the resounding answer on my side is NO, the govvie takes away all landlord control on a part 4 tenancy. Unless the govvie moves to a UK system or a US system or a German system where the tenant is responsible for the full maintenance of the property and no b...t assignment can be performed, then the current screw the landlord system in Ireland is forcing me to only have short tenancies. The guys saying "Security for both landlords and tenants is essential if the rental sector is to be both an attractive option for tenants and a safe and viable investment choice for investors." is just repeating without any critical thinking the Threshold and Govvie mantra. Security of tenancy at the moment is very detrimental to landlord, unless the RTA is changed profoundly (which will not happen) the number of properties for private letting will only fall. I just gave up asking for planning permission after the architect told me about all the stupid costs the govvie, DCC and other parassites (who add absolutely no value to the property) charge on top of the pure expensive building cost (labour + material). It is just not economical to build to rent residential property up to the latest absurd building standards (set up by the usual suspects in govvie and DCC without doing any cost/benefit analysis) even owning the land unless you have huge economies of scale! My money is now being invested in a different country on commercial property.

    Another big error I spotted in the same uncritical thinker above is the following: "Minister Kelly Labour changed the 4 year to 6 year so with only 1 probation period of 6 months. Previously there was a probation period after every part 4 came to an end." It wasn't Kelly that made this change, it was Mr "I know it All" (in reality I am lying big time and screwing landlords big time) Coveney on Christmas Eve December 2016 with the RTA 2016. Mr "do gooder" Kelly with the RTA 2015 extended in December 2015 the rent review period from 1 year to 2 years. As I said previously the govvie and its financed NGOs, Councils and Agencies are nothing short of the landlord sworn enemies.

    I am also expecting another Christmas present this year through a new anti-landlord RTA 2017, the Irish politicians just cannot keep their dirty fingers clean. I can already see it with that biased RTE program "Nightmare to Let", who started the drums for a new change of the law requesting a massively expensive certification program for all landlords instead of requesting proper enforcement against rogue lanldords by councils (see Brendan Kenny, the clown at DCC what he says the day after asking for all sorts of huge penalties for landlords: https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/1103/917178-rental-accommodation/ and then what is discovered his department did not do: http://www.thejournal.ie/rte-dcc-emails-were-not-opened-3682662-Nov2017/ "RTÉ emails about 'fire trap' house were not opened by Dublin City Council official": what needs to happen is DCC employees being fired if they do not work and Mr Kenny dismissed!!!). RTE could have easily shown the other side ("Tenants from Hell", just look at the RTB adjudications) but they purposely avoided to do it because it does not fit in their dirty political socialist agenda. I know there are a few communist/socialist posters in this forum, that is why I keep posting here, to show their lies in their full splendour!

    I close it here, because the current Irish housing political agenda makes me puke.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,982 ✭✭✭kravmaga


    m.i.l.f wrote: »
    We've a new tenant since end of July 17. Since they moved in there's been nothing but issues . They are late paying rent and the demands are getting ridiculous ( new windows for example )

    This months rent was due yesterday and they've left us short over 300€- when I emailed them they said it was for materials for flooring and painting and they will send us on the invoice ! At no point did we agree any of this . One month my husband agreed that they could deduct the price of paint for the spare room and that was fine but that was only once .
    I'm just sick of this . We've bought them a new oven this month and paid a plumber too and now they've left us short for work they fancied doing without speaking to us first
    Any suggestions ?


    If they are causing these problems and not paying the rent in full after just 4 months its not going to improve in my experience. They sound like trouble.

    As another poster said , seek the out standing rent in full, if they refuse then get them out asap , seek eviction.

    I presume they paid a security deposit of a months rent in advance


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,059 ✭✭✭✭Spanish Eyes


    Honestly who would be an independent LL these days now?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,283 ✭✭✭The Student


    GGTrek wrote: »
    <snip quoted>.

    Completely agree with all the above. From the tone of your post I suspect you have been badly burned at some point.

    Nonetheless it is a good post.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,094 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    GGTrek wrote: »
    An additional thing that I always explain to new tenants is that I only provide a 6+2 months tenancy which means that towards the end of the 6th month I provide a no reason termination notice even if they have been great tenants.I use the section 65(4) rule "(4) If the duration of the tenancy concerned is less than 6 months, a period of notice of more than 70 days may not be given in respect of it." together with section 61 " (1) A reference in this Part to a particular period of notice to be given by the notice of termination concerned is a reference to such a period that begins on the day immediately following the date of service of the notice.
    (2) A reference in this Part to the duration of a tenancy is a reference to the period beginning on the day on which the tenancy came into existence or the relevant date, if later, and ending on the date of service of the notice of termination concerned."

    Are you saying that you only allow tenants to stay 8 months then get new one's?
    If so that is a bit harsh and more work / risk. If they get through the first 6 months with out problems chances are they are good tenants. Why take the risk of getting new ones that could be bad?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 539 ✭✭✭CiboC


    GGTrek wrote: »
    An additional thing that I always explain to new tenants is that I only provide a 6+2 months tenancy which means that towards the end of the 6th month I provide a no reason termination notice even if they have been great tenants.

    I don't follow the logic here either? Do you actually get people to move on every 8 months? Are you saying that by providing a termination notice at this point you can use it any time into the future should you wish?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭GGTrek


    CiboC wrote: »
    GGTrek wrote: »
    An additional thing that I always explain to new tenants is that I only provide a 6+2 months tenancy which means that towards the end of the 6th month I provide a no reason termination notice even if they have been great tenants.

    I don't follow the logic here either? Do you actually get people to move on every 8 months? Are you saying that by providing a termination notice at this point you can use it any time into the future should you wish?
    Correct. I do not know what the govvie has in store for me so I want the flat free at the 8th month: no strings attached (sale, moving in, refurbishment, whatever housing right bu..it the Irish govvie is coming out with in the future).

    I have reached the point where the happiest time for me is when a tenant leaves on his/her own will since I only know a tenant is really good after he/she leaves on his/her own will without causing hassle and damage.

    I have a few properties close to each other, so if the tenant behaves well in the first few months I just propose him/her that if he/she wants to avoid the hassle of looking for a new rental they can move to a different property of mine before the 8 months are up by mutual agreement: their tenancy rights start from zero again. I can do this because I only own small flats that are not rented to families which tend to be not mobile and a hassle to move out.

    When some potential tenants ask me why only up to 8 months I just tell them to complain to the govvie to change the s..y Irish tenancy law.

    They don't care about complaining to govvie and I really could not care less, there is always a queue of people wanting properties in Central Dublin. As I said the continuous anti-landlord changes of law and some long term bad tenants (that I inherited and had to kick out through RTB) made me very cynic and I must say 2018 expected results are looking very rosy (2016 and 2017 were positive but not that good compared to 2015) after all long term tenants were gone in 2017 except two (one I am going to keep since she really cares about the property and the other is out in April since I could not care less about his sorry piece of ...). The good results will be used to sell some of the properties I have got in Ireland at a good price. It all depends now on the Christmas present from govvie (let's call this a euphemism).

    Only type of tenants I accept nowadays are working professionals without children. The socialist/communist do gooders in this forum will think I am discriminating (well screw the do gooders, they can put their own money to do the good), I have had tenants of various sexual orientations, of various skin colours (I have mixed race children), foreign/Irish,  I really do not care about this, what I care about is that the tenant economic and personal position makes business sense (exactly like a lender would do, tell me if a bank cannot discriminate based on economic/personal conditions of the borrower!) and it is not going to be a communist/socialist do gooder (with other people's money like every good socialist/communist does clearly!) that is going to make me change my economic behaviour.

    I just tell Tenants right from the start that if they want to leave before the 8 months they can just give me 2-3 weeks of warning and let me have the viewings before they leave, I provide them the written notice template for them to sign (so that my ... is protected from bad faith future ideas), we date it and I sign it as well accepting a shorter notice as RTA allows for a landlord (I really do not understand landlords screaming when tenants are leaving, they are probably screaming because they have paid a parasite letting agent and need to recoup the costs charged by the parasite) and I am as friendly as I have ever been with the old tenants, if they want to come back they are free to come back anytime if I have a place (two of them actually indicated their friends).

    I am also going to try to rent to companies like a poster in this forum suggested to see if it possible to have longer leases since I would not have the RTB and government meddling in the middle and could improve the value of the properties.

    I have rented and owned property in many countries (even latin countries who are notorious for their bureaucracy and inefficiency) and never seen so much bu..it as the one spouted from the Irish govvie and the Irish socialist media (who are really masters of hypocrisy). If you try to break a fixed term lease in a latin country the penalties are heavvy (usually the full 2-3 months deposit lost for break in the first year and no questions asked by judge about landlord's effort to re-rent), assignments are not permitted, since the property does not belong to the tenant and he cannot decide who can or cannot stay after he leaves just to get rid of its own tenancy obligations like it happens in Ireland. Once minimum fixed term by law has passed (usually 6 months to 3 years) the tenancy becomes monthly at will for both parties (not just for the tenant as it is in Ireland). A part 4 tenancy is for all practical effects a fixed 6 years rent controlled tenancy for the landlord (who could easily become indefinite with the current ideas of the communist TDs and most of the socialist media) and an at will tenancy for the tenant: very short notice period to be scot free from any obligation! Such disparity of treatment does not exist in any place except in socialist states!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭GGTrek


    GGTrek wrote: »
    An additional thing that I always explain to new tenants is that I only provide a 6+2 months tenancy which means that towards the end of the 6th month I provide a no reason termination notice even if they have been great tenants.I use the section 65(4) rule "(4) If the duration of the tenancy concerned is less than 6 months, a period of notice of more than 70 days may not be given in respect of it." together with section 61 " (1) A reference in this Part to a particular period of notice to be given by the notice of termination concerned is a reference to such a period that begins on the day immediately following the date of service of the notice.
    (2) A reference in this Part to the duration of a tenancy is a reference to the period beginning on the day on which the tenancy came into existence or the relevant date, if later, and ending on the date of service of the notice of termination concerned."

    Are you saying that you only allow tenants to stay 8 months then get new one's?
    If so that is a bit harsh and more work / risk. If they get through the first 6 months with out problems chances are they are good tenants. Why take the risk of getting new ones that could be bad?
    Being a landlord is not a moral obligation, it is a business. The govvie has forced me into this corner, as I said I only know a tenant is really good after he/she leaves without hassle and damage. Believe me the work of finding a new tenant is way less than the work that goes into an RTB adjudication. Am I taking some risk with new tenants: yes, is this risk less than the risk presented by a part 4 tenancy long term tenant who does not want to move out: way less!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭GGTrek


    GGTrek wrote: »
    Being a landlord is not a moral obligation, it is a business. The govvie has forced me into this corner, as I said I only know a tenant is really good after he/she leaves without hassle and damage. Believe me the work of finding a new tenant is way less than the work that goes into an RTB adjudication. Am I taking some risk with new tenants: yes, is this risk less than the risk presented by a part 4 tenancy long term tenant who does not want to move out: way less!

    I'm confused.
    I thought that once a tenant was in situ 1 day over 6 months that they had an automatic part 4.
    How can you remove them after 8 months?
    How does it work?
    Sorry, I shall repeat what I wrote in previous poster without mixing and confusing legal issues with political issues (unfortunately the two are very intertwined in Ireland). To properly scare and kick out a very nasty tenant of mine at 4 years expiry + anti-social behaviour I had to go and pay a solicitor specialised in Tenancy Law (with proved experience in representing landlords at RTB Tribunal and High Court) and after the event I remained in contact and I got a lot of additional practical legal advice on the very complicated RTA. This is how it works. Please read in detail all of the sections I quote below combined, this is where the RTA really shows its cra...ness.

    Section 61 of RTA 2004-2016 " (1) A reference in this Part to a particular period of notice to be given by the notice of termination concerned is a reference to such a period that begins on the day immediately following the date of service of the notice.
    (2) A reference in this Part to the duration of a tenancy is a reference to the period beginning on the day on which the tenancy came into existence or the relevant date, if later, and ending on the date of service of the notice of termination concerned."
    Combined with section 65(4) of the RTA 2004-2016: "(4) If the duration of the tenancy concerned is less than 6 months, a period of notice of more than 70 days may not be given in respect of it."
    Combined with Section 28(1) and (3) of the RTA 2004-2016: " 28.—(1) Where a person has, under a tenancy, been in occupation of a dwelling for a continuous period of 6 months then, if the condition specified in subsection (3) is satisfied, the following protection applies for the benefit of that person....
    (3) The condition mentioned in subsection (1) is that no notice of termination (giving the required period of notice) has been served in respect of the tenancy before the expiry of the period of 6 months mentioned in that subsection."
    So the important matter is the date the landlord serves the no reason termination notice, which needs to be before the 6th month expires from the start of the tenancy and not during an active fixed term, the other important bit is the minimum/maximum notice period for a termination notice provided during the first six months: not less than 28 days and not more than 70 days. According to section 61 the duration of the tenancy is calculated until the date the notice is served, not until the date the termination notice expires.

    There are some socialist adjudicators that using the informality of an adjudication try to skip on these "details". I got one the first time I tried to kick out the nasty tenant, second time the paperwork was so precise and brutal against all the failures of the tenant and the necessity to respect the law that a different adjudicator got the tenant to agree to a slightly longer period to get out in order to avoid paying damages for its anti-social behaviour, the difference between the first and second adjudication was the legal advice and the brutality of the second adjudication casework that was prepared, when you have to go to RTB you have to be cynically brutal with you tenant, he has become your enemy and you have to treat him as such showing all his/her failures and request as many damages as you can. The REITs appeal a lot of these socialist adjudicators determinations.

    If you take the law to the extreme point a landlord can serve the no reason termination notice on the day before the 6 months expire and provide a 70 days termination notice making the tenancy last approximately 8 months and 8-9 days but he/she is then taking big risks in my opinion. The main issues in my case are always practical matters which are simpler to deal with working tenants who have something to loose if they overhold and a negotiated exit is easier to achieve. Families with children in my opinion have also more incentives to overhold since it is more difficult for them to find alternative accommodation.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭dancingqueen


    GGTrek wrote: »
    .


    An additional thing that I always explain to new tenants is that I only provide a 6+2 months tenancy which means that towards the end of the 6th month I provide a no reason termination notice even if they have been great tenants.I use the section 65(4) rule "(4) If the duration of the tenancy concerned is less than 6 months, a period of notice of more than 70 days may not be given in respect of it." together with section 61 " (1) A reference in this Part to a particular period of notice to be given by the notice of termination concerned is a reference to such a period that begins on the day immediately following the date of service of the notice.
    (2) A reference in this Part to the duration of a tenancy is a reference to the period beginning on the day on which the tenancy came into existence or the relevant date, if later, and ending on the date of service of the notice of termination concerned."

    Do I want part 4 tenants? the resounding answer on my side is NO

    I was burned by a landlord like you. I viewed a a "small flat" as you put it, that on the ad stated a "minimum 12 month lease". I paid a deposit upfront to secure the property, confirming the lease terms at the time, verbally. 2 weeks later I revisited the landlord to sign the lease, which was a 5 month lease. When questioned, the landlord merely stated that the lease would be extended at this time. When I expressed interest in continuing to rent the property at 4 months, my interest was acknowledged "in kind" by the landlord and a week later, I received a termination notice, landing me on my ear on the street as a single woman, at Christmas.

    The laws do need to be changed, to prevent tenants constantly feeling in fear of eviction regardless of what they do, or how good they are as a tenant. There is always a loophole to allow a tenant to be screwed over and I for one am impressed at how the recent laws are being amended gradually, but amended nonetheless, so that we can feel safer as tenants in Ireland.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭dancingqueen


    GGTrek wrote: »
    If you take the law to the extreme point a landlord can serve the no reason termination notice on the day before the 6 months expire and provide a 70 days termination notice making the tenancy last approximately 8 months and 8-9 days but he/she is then taking big risks in my opinion. The main issues in my case are always practical matters which are simpler to deal with working tenants who have something to loose if they overhold and a negotiated exit is easier to achieve. Families with children in my opinion have also more incentives to overhold since it is more difficult for them to find alternative accommodation.

    This can be viewed as discrimination, I am sure; if you are consciously unwilling to rent to a family on the basis that they might want a long term option.

    In my opinion, you are quoting the bits that apply to you to back up the way you "run your business" due to being "backed into a corner". My opinion might be biased in the sense that I am a tenant and I have had mostly ****e experiences with landlords who basically thrive off treating tenants like crap.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,599 ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    I was burned by a landlord like you. I viewed a a "small flat" as you put it, that on the ad stated a "minimum 12 month lease". I paid a deposit upfront to secure the property, confirming the lease terms at the time, verbally. 2 weeks later I revisited the landlord to sign the lease, which was a 5 month lease. When questioned, the landlord merely stated that the lease would be extended at this time. When I expressed interest in continuing to rent the property at 4 months, my interest was acknowledged "in kind" by the landlord and a week later, I received a termination notice, landing me on my ear on the street as a single woman, at Christmas.

    The laws do need to be changed, to prevent tenants constantly feeling in fear of eviction regardless of what they do, or how good they are as a tenant. There is always a loophole to allow a tenant to be screwed over and I for one am impressed at how the recent laws are being amended gradually, but amended nonetheless, so that we can feel safer as tenants in Ireland.

    Sorry but 5 months lease with no legal protection is a clear sign not to rent unless you enjoy hunting for a new apartment. You should have told the landlord to **** himself and take the deposit back.

    That is unless you were given an incredible deal.

    To be honest at the moment our rental system has two main problems, rents are too high and bad tenants have too many rights.

    A part of the reason for the high rents is the bad tenants. Once a tenant is in a house for six months it can take 18 months to force them out if they don't pay.

    I wonder if landlords everywhere in Ireland would be willing to cut rents by 25% in exchange for an easy way to get rid of problem tenants without having to spend 18 months in various courts and prtb hearings to get them out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭dancingqueen


    Sorry but 5 months lease with no legal protection is a clear sign not to rent unless you enjoy hunting for a new apartment. You should have told the landlord to **** himself and take the deposit back.

    That is unless you were given an incredible deal.

    To be honest at the moment our rental system has two main problems, rents are too high and bad tenants have too many rights.

    A part of the reason for the high rents is the bad tenants. Once a tenant is in a house for six months it can take 18 months to force them out if they don't pay.

    I wonder if landlords everywhere in Ireland would be willing to cut rents by 25% in exchange for an easy way to get rid of problem tenants without having to spend 18 months in various courts and prtb hearings to get them out.

    Yes, it is, and it was. Unfortunately, with 2 weeks to go before I was out of one place and little to nothing on DAFT, I was stuck to be honest and hoping for the best. I still don't think it's ok to consciously offer short term lets to people who are literally stuck for somewhere to rent, just because you don't want the "hassle" of Part 4 tenants. Don't be a landlord, then.

    Bad tenants and bad landlords should be on a register. References from previous landlords could possibly be recorded against tenants on a database so that possible landlords can review before letting a property to them. This would cut the bad tenants to the bottom of the pile, ensuring that people who won't cause issues for landlords get preference.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    I don't entirely follow the logic of the 5/6 month tenancies to be honest.

    OK it might prevent tenants acquiring Part 4 rights but the chances of finding a tenant prepared to ignore a termination notice increase with each new renting.

    Finding a decent tenant is a bit of a lucky dip. If 1 in 20 tenants is 'bad', that's a 5% chance you'll end up with a tenant you don't want. If you keep going back to the lucky dip, say 10 times over 5 years, you've just increased your chances of finding a bad tenant to 50%


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,342 ✭✭✭seagull


    Graham wrote: »
    I don't entirely follow the logic of the 5/6 month tenancies to be honest.

    OK it might prevent tenants acquiring Part 4 rights but the chances of finding a tenant prepared to ignore a termination notice increase with each new renting.

    Finding a decent tenant is a bit of a lucky dip. If 1 in 20 tenants is 'bad', that's a 5% chance you'll end up with a tenant you don't want. If you keep going back to the lucky dip, say 10 times over 5 years, you've just increased your chances of finding a bad tenant to 50%

    I'd actually say it's pushed up significantly more. If I'm a good tenant with a stable job, I'm probably going to look at that 6 month lease, and move on. I have no interest in moving every 6 months. Which means that the people who are going to sign up for this are probably people finding it very difficult to find somewhere.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭GGTrek


    GGTrek wrote: »
    If you take the law to the extreme point a landlord can serve the no reason termination notice on the day before the 6 months expire and provide a 70 days termination notice making the tenancy last approximately 8 months and 8-9 days but he/she is then taking big risks in my opinion. The main issues in my case are always practical matters which are simpler to deal with working tenants who have something to loose if they overhold and a negotiated exit is easier to achieve. Families with children in my opinion have also more incentives to overhold since it is more difficult for them to find alternative accommodation.

    This can be viewed as discrimination, I am sure; if you are consciously unwilling to rent to a family on the basis that they might want a long term option.

    In my opinion, you are quoting the bits that apply to you to back up the way you "run your business" due to being "backed into a corner". My opinion might be biased in the sense that I am a tenant and I have had mostly ****e experiences with landlords who basically thrive off treating tenants like crap.
    I have already explained really well what I think about the govvie view and my view on economic discrimination, now go and tell a bank that should not consider if the borrower has economic dependants when he/she borrows. Socialists always like to expand the discrimination sphere to fit their own ideological agenda and expanding it into limiting economic actors choices.

    A studio or a 1 bed apartment is not fit for a family: full point. To be honest I never had a family applying for a place in the past two years but I had to kick out at great cost an inherited tenant couple that had two children during their long term tenancy in a 1 bed apartment and did not want to move out: so screw the RTE journalists and the righteus DCC executive when they talk about overcrowding, when a landlord needs to clear out overcrowding created by the tenants he has to fight it at the RTB with no help from the righteus brothers!

    I have reached a point where I cannot care less, I post here to provide information that can help isolated fellow landlords and counteract the socialists/communsts populating this forum, I do not care about popularity (and I said it many times). I provide good up-to-date accommodation at a decent rent, but I do not want someone else controlling my property (this has happened before with the nasty tenant and the painting one), I prefer my property to stay empty rather than to have an entitled tenant inside and my patience with tenants has dropped considerably in the past two years due to how much the Irish govvie pissed me off with their hypocrisy and their socialist regulations and the RTB bu..it I had to endure!

    In all these years I have only found a tenant who really cares about the property (and she is the only one that is still there, the others have all been evicted), so I prefer short term tenants who will not have time to wear the property down and I have full control (I got rid of parasitic letting agents too in order to have full control). If my properties stay empty a few weeks between tenancies: I could not care less! I am a fully financed investor: not an accidental landlord who depends on the rent coming in each month to pay its mortgage with the bank on the other side hanging him if the rent stops, I can take the empty periods waiting for the right person.

    Dancingqueen: I advertise very cleary that the flats are only for short term, if the tenants come with second intentions it is then their problem when it is time to get out (I actually hate people with second intentions: there were plenty in the big corporation where I used to work); in addition I mentioned clearly that I usually offer a different property to good tenants, I just do not offer long term tenancies anymore (and to be honest I decide how I manage my properties, not the govvie or some tenant who could not care less about the property as long as he/she can stay inside it at a cheap rent). If tenant needs long term acccomodation he/she can go and look somewhere else, after all he/she has already got the govvie and plenty of taxpayer financed NGOs on his/her side, shame these organizations and the govvie do not want to put down any of their money to actually supply accommodation to the tenant but at the same time they have overregulated the market to death since it did not cost them a cent! This is what I call hypocrisy!

    I also could not care less about the opinions (moral or otherwise) on the practical consequences of my short term strategy and how I select tenants: on the contrary I found that the quality of tenants has gone up considerably in Dublin due to the housing crisis. There is a communist poster in this forum who is particularly bad in his practical legal suggestions but thinks he knows all the legal theory and he loves Threshold :D , probably even worked for them (I am actually astounded he has not jumped in this thread like he used to do so regularly to spout his ideology translated into legal terms). I am finally free from having to expensively prove to an RTB adjudicator why I do not want a particular person in my property.

    I shall stop here, since I have work to do. I posted in this thread to help the OP and to return the help I have been offered in this forum in the past by some posters. I do hope the OP is not in the position I think he/she is: stuck with an entitled tenant and not able to evict due to some ill thought fixed term placed in the initial lease and an anti-landlord law fully devised and approved by the Irish TDs supporting the entitled non rent paying tenant.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,283 ✭✭✭The Student


    GGTrek wrote: »
    I have already explained really well what I think about the govvie view and my view on economic discrimination, now go and tell a bank that should not consider if the borrower has economic dependants when he/she borrows. Socialists always like to expand the discrimination sphere to fit their own ideological agenda and expanding it into limiting economic actors choices.....

    .

    I completely agree with all of your sentiments. The bottom line is the State has the rental market the way it is. If the State wants to control housing then build its own.


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