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Reluctant landlord

  • 11-11-2018 12:32am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42


    Hi There,

    Going to be moving from my house that I have lived in for the past 11 years and will be renting it out.
    I'm fairly nervous about this as have heard horror stories regarding nightmare tenants etc. I'd appreciate some advice on letting agencies (are they worth using) Screening potential tenents etc

    Many thanks in advance


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,179 ✭✭✭✭Caranica


    iwilldare wrote: »
    Hi There,

    Going to be moving from my house that I have lived in for the past 11 years and will be renting it out.
    I'm fairly nervous about this as have heard horror stories regarding nightmare tenants etc. I'd appreciate some advice on letting agencies (are they worth using) Screening potential tenents etc

    Many thanks in advance

    Is selling an option? Truly wouldn't recommend being a landlord to my worst enemy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84,763 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    Sell it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    cant sell, its still in negative equity. Would sell in a heartbeat if I could.


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


    iwilldare wrote: »
    Hi There,

    Going to be moving from my house that I have lived in for the past 11 years and will be renting it out.
    I'm fairly nervous about this as have heard horror stories regarding nightmare tenants etc. I'd appreciate some advice on letting agencies (are they worth using) Screening potential tenents etc

    Many thanks in advance

    It takes a certain type of person to be a landlord. If you are not strong enough you will find it difficult if you find wrong tenant. Have you considered renting to council on one of their long term rental schemes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 Jack0125


    Get a property mgt agent. Will cost you gross 800 a year...but with tax relief (depending on situation) net cost for 400 euro you have someone who deals with all letting and tenant queries.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    iwilldare wrote: »
    Hi There,

    Going to be moving from my house that I have lived in for the past 11 years and will be renting it out.
    I'm fairly nervous about this as have heard horror stories regarding nightmare tenants etc. I'd appreciate some advice on letting agencies (are they worth using) Screening potential tenents etc

    Many thanks in advance

    It takes a certain type of person to be a landlord. If you are not strong enough you will find it difficult if you find wrong tenant. Have you considered renting to council on one of their long term rental schemes.
    Have no problem with treating it like a business, but getting the right Tennant seems like pot luck though, don't want someone moving in an wrecking the place or not paying rent and having to go through the eviction process as it seems to take years


  • Posts: 24,714 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Jack0125 wrote: »
    Get a property mgt agent. Will cost you gross 800 a year...but with tax relief (depending on situation) net cost for 400 euro you have someone who deals with all letting and tenant queries.

    I Wouldn’t trust a letting agent to look after my umbrella never mind my house. A waste of money who will do a worse job than you could yourself. No way would I trust them to pick the type of tenant I’d want most of all and I’m this day and age getting the wrong tenant is a disaster.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    Jack0125 wrote: »
    Get a property mgt agent. Will cost you gross 800 a year...but with tax relief (depending on situation) net cost for 400 euro you have someone who deals with all letting and tenant queries.

    I Wouldn’t trust a letting agent to look after my umbrella never mind my house. A waste of money who will do a worse job than you could yourself. No way would I trust them to pick the type of tenant I’d want most of all and I’m this day and age getting the wrong tenant is a disaster.
    But do they not take the day to day hassle out of managing the property? Or are there any advantages to using an agent?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    I assume since its still in negative equity its not in a high demand area.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    I assume since its still in negative equity its not in a high demand area.

    You assume incorrectly,it's a very high demand area


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    iwilldare wrote: »
    But do they not take the day to day hassle out of managing the property? Or are there any advantages to using an agent?

    It depends what you agree with them, you can either just get them to find someone and handle the lease or you can get them to manage the tenancy.

    I prefer to handle it myself, there isn't much work in arranging maintenance but I would recommend if it is the 1st time letting, use an agency, you need a proper lease document so you would end up paying a solicitor for this anyway. After that check the rent is paid on time (standing order only) and inspect periodically with the tenants permission.

    Keep the tenants onside as a customer and you reduce the risk of non-payment or trashing the place, unless you get the kind of tenant who really doesn't care, which to be fair is rare, just manage the risk and the returns are worthwhile. In my opinion, if you are in a RPZ you can legally increase the rent annually, but you are not giving anything back to the tenant for loyalty and paying on time, why would they see it as important to continue doing so? Etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    iwilldare wrote: »
    You assume incorrectly,it's a very high demand area

    Good.
    • Rent out each bedroom at a weekly rate, bills included. If there is a sitting room/dining room, convert them to bedrooms.
    • No leases.
    • Take 4 weeks deposit from each, nobody moves in until money is in your account.
    • Each individual gets a ID number, they use it for referencing payments. Make sure you get your rent every week, no late payments.
    • No friends, no girlfriends, no party's period. Nobody but them into the house.
    • Keep the bills in your name. Don't bother with broadband, tenants can use 3g keys. Nobody gets a line into the house with a contract.
    • Hire a cleaner, they clean the whole house once a week(hoover, wipe surfaces, clean bathroom etc) including bedrooms. Have them report any tenants who don't keep the place clean or let the place get into a state.
    • No locks on doors, no locked door but the front.

    You now have licensees.

    See point 3 on RTB's own site.

    persons occupying accommodation in which the owner is not resident under a formal license arrangement with the owner where the occupants are not entitled to its exclusive use and the owner has continuing access to the accommodation and/or can move around or change the occupants,

    Your licensees have no say in who rents there, you do. They don't have exclusive use, you, the cleaner or anybody else can walk into a bedroom whenever they want. You are effectively running a long term B&B, skirting around the law.

    Any trouble maker, late rent or other issues, turf them. How quickly, immediately or a week, is up to you. There are other people in the house, they are far less likely to try trashing anything. Any damages, take out of deposit.

    A 4 bed house can easily become a 6 bed house to rent. In high demand areas, 115-150 per week bills included is achievable, loads of people just want a room to rent. Adjust pricing based on demand and room size.

    Its pretty easy to pull in 25k+ gross per year, within little to no downtime, as individual tenants move in and out. Takes a bit more time to manage though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    Good.
    • Rent out each bedroom at a weekly rate, bills included. If there is a sitting room/dining room, convert them to bedrooms.
    • No leases.
    • Take 4 weeks deposit from each, nobody moves in until money is in your account.
    • Each individual gets a ID number, they use it for referencing payments. Make sure you get your rent every week, no late payments.
    • No friends, no girlfriends, no party's period. Nobody but them into the house.
    • Keep the bills in your name. Don't bother with broadband, tenants can use 3g keys. Nobody gets a line into the house with a contract.
    • Hire a cleaner, they clean the whole house once a week(hoover, wipe surfaces, clean bathroom etc) including bedrooms. Have them report any tenants who don't keep the place clean or let the place get into a state.
    • No locks on doors, no locked door but the front.

    You now have licensees.

    See point 3 on RTB's own site.

    persons occupying accommodation in which the owner is not resident under a formal license arrangement with the owner where the occupants are not entitled to its exclusive use and the owner has continuing access to the accommodation and/or can move around or change the occupants,

    Your licensees have no say in who rents there, you do. They don't have exclusive use, you, the cleaner or anybody else can walk into a bedroom whenever they want. You are effectively running a long term B&B, skirting around the law.

    Any trouble maker, late rent or other issues, turf them. How quickly, immediately or a week, is up to you. There are other people in the house, they are far less likely to try trashing anything. Any damages, take out of deposit.

    A 4 bed house can easily become a 6 bed house to rent. In high demand areas, 115-150 per week bills included is achievable, loads of people just want a room to rent. Adjust pricing based on demand and room size.

    Its pretty easy to pull in 25k+ gross per year, within little to no downtime, as individual tenants move in and out. Takes a bit more time to manage though.

    It wouldn't work, tenancies are created by lease or by payment, there really isn't a loophole to avoid a tenancy. What that text seems to be referring to is guesthouse accommodation, it does seem rather poorly written though.

    "which the owner is not resident under a formal license arrangement with the owner" -- nonsense the owner is not resident under a license agreement with himself?


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


    iwilldare wrote: »
    Have no problem with treating it like a business, but getting the right Tennant seems like pot luck though, don't want someone moving in an wrecking the place or not paying rent and having to go through the eviction process as it seems to take years

    Sorry when you titled thread I thought you did not really want to rent out property and you were being forced. Use an agent to find the tenants as once you put up and ad you will be flooded with enquirers. I would suggest you manage property yourself as agent will get tradesmen for everything who may not necessarily be the best. If you want to pm me I can answer questions give guidance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    davindub wrote: »
    It wouldn't work, tenancies are created by lease or by payment, there really isn't a loophole to avoid a tenancy. What that text seems to be referring to is guesthouse accommodation, it does seem rather poorly written though.

    "which the owner is not resident under a formal license arrangement with the owner" -- nonsense the owner is not resident under a license agreement with himself?

    "which the owner is not resident, under a formal license arrangement with the owner"

    They had to add a section pointing out that you can in fact be a licensee even when the property owner does not live with you.

    The RTB and tenancy law is only applicable when the person renting has exclusive use of the property. Previous rulings have shown that to be the ability to say who they rent with, who can come and go to to the property. Once they never had exclusive use of anything besides a expectation of privacy in their room, they are not a tenant.

    If tenancy's were created by payment, every hotel and B&B in the country would be a big trouble.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    "which the owner is not resident, under a formal license arrangement with the owner"

    They had to add a section pointing out that you can in fact be a licensee even when the property owner does not live with you.

    The RTB and tenancy law is only applicable when the person renting has exclusive use of the property. Previous rulings have shown that to be the ability to say who they rent with, who can come and go to to the property. Once they never had exclusive use of anything besides a expectation of privacy in their room, they are not a tenant.

    If tenancy's were created by payment, every hotel and B&B in the country would be a big trouble.

    But you added the comma yourself? Changes the meaning entirely.

    Which rulings are you talking about exactly that state exclusive use of the property is required? Exclusive use and possession are kind of old pre-RTA tests which are sometimes useful to use, but they are not the only factor considered. There is a specific HC case that mirrors what this passage seems to be referring to, it was a long term room within a guesthouse.

    Hotels and b&bs are excluded from the act - holiday accommodation. You can research the meaning of tenancy yourself.

    But for reading this passage on the RTB website and applying your own logic, you would not have concocted your scheme? Have you verified it against the act? Have you tested this somewhere or does the OP test for you and face the consequences alone if the RTB disagrees? When you answer these questions, what you have posted looks less appealing.

    Anyway, none of this is relevant to the OP's post, it is not possible for a residential landlord to exclude themselves from the legislation except for the exclusions contained within the act, and if such a great loophole was found, it would be rectified rather than advertised.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    Good.
    • Rent out each bedroom at a weekly rate, bills included. If there is a sitting room/dining room, convert them to bedrooms.
    • No leases.
    • Take 4 weeks deposit from each, nobody moves in until money is in your account.
    • Each individual gets a ID number, they use it for referencing payments. Make sure you get your rent every week, no late payments.
    • No friends, no girlfriends, no party's period. Nobody but them into the house.
    • Keep the bills in your name. Don't bother with broadband, tenants can use 3g keys. Nobody gets a line into the house with a contract.
    • Hire a cleaner, they clean the whole house once a week(hoover, wipe surfaces, clean bathroom etc) including bedrooms. Have them report any tenants who don't keep the place clean or let the place get into a state.
    • No locks on doors, no locked door but the front.

    You now have licensees.

    See point 3 on RTB's own site.

    persons occupying accommodation in which the owner is not resident under a formal license arrangement with the owner where the occupants are not entitled to its exclusive use and the owner has continuing access to the accommodation and/or can move around or change the occupants,

    Your licensees have no say in who rents there, you do. They don't have exclusive use, you, the cleaner or anybody else can walk into a bedroom whenever they want. You are effectively running a long term B&B, skirting around the law.

    Any trouble maker, late rent or other issues, turf them. How quickly, immediately or a week, is up to you. There are other people in the house, they are far less likely to try trashing anything. Any damages, take out of deposit.

    A 4 bed house can easily become a 6 bed house to rent. In high demand areas, 115-150 per week bills included is achievable, loads of people just want a room to rent. Adjust pricing based on demand and room size.

    Its pretty easy to pull in 25k+ gross per year, within little to no downtime, as individual tenants move in and out. Takes a bit more time to manage though.

    Thanks, when I said I have not problem treating it like a business I meant letting it entirely. I've no interest in being a slum landlord.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 809 ✭✭✭filbert the fox


    iwilldare wrote: »
    Hi There,

    Going to be moving from my house that I have lived in for the past 11 years and will be renting it out.
    I'm fairly nervous about this as have heard horror stories regarding nightmare tenants etc. I'd appreciate some advice on letting agencies (are they worth using) Screening potential tenents etc

    Many thanks in advance

    Why are you moving out if you don't mind me asking?
    The over generous Rent a Room scheme would allow you to earn up to €14,000 per annum tax free if you stay and take in lodgers. Any possibility of this occurring?
    Otherwise the Taxman will take 52% of your rental income(gross....in both senses of the word)

    :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    Why are you moving out if you don't mind me asking?
    The over generous Rent a Room scheme would allow you to earn up to €14,000 per annum tax free if you stay and take in lodgers. Any possibility of this occurring?
    Otherwise the Taxman will take 52% of your rental income(gross....in both senses of the word)

    :mad:

    Moving into a larger property that is more suited to me and my family am just renovating at the moment but should be in shortly. Yeah I know about the tax, its crazy but hopefully I will just about break even when renting the house out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,434 ✭✭✭✭LuckyLloyd


    Rents are at record breaking levels. Literally never been higher in the history of the state. As yours will be a new rental you can get top of the market value. Contact a letting agent, have them rent it out to a record breaking level and be happy. Shop around on letting agents in terms of the services / fees offered and seek out some reviews first. But that's it. The horror stories are a tiny percentage of lets. Most people are reasonable and credible and the documentation / process imposed by letting agents now as standard will usually weed out undesirable tenants.

    Best of luck.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    iwilldare wrote: »
    Thanks, when I said I have not problem treating it like a business I meant letting it entirely. I've no interest in being a slum landlord.

    The day you encounter a problem tenant and have to work with the RTB is day the you will be a bitter reluctant landlord. Plus on average, you give up around 10k per year in income by renting the property as a whole.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    davindub wrote: »
    But you added the comma yourself? Changes the meaning entirely.

    You appeared to have a issue with how they had presented it on their site.
    davindub wrote: »
    Which rulings are you talking about exactly that state exclusive use of the property is required? Exclusive use and possession are kind of old pre-RTA tests which are sometimes useful to use, but they are not the only factor considered. There is a specific HC case that mirrors what this passage seems to be referring to, it was a long term room within a guesthouse.

    I refer to the guesthouse and a apartment tenant in past rulings. Finding it hard to go back over my posts here and find where I went through both rulings. Both rulings were based on the premise of exclusive access to the property(B&B was non-exclusive, apartment tenant was exclusive use).

    If you are deemed to be a licensee by the RTB, meeting the criteria set out by the act and the RTB, then your relationship with the landlord is not applicable to the act and you no longer have the same protections.

    The RTB themselves are very clear on this, on their site and in rulings. I am aware of a number of landlords doing this in Dublin, whose licensees have tried and failed to take a case against them in the RTB.

    https://www.icsh.ie/sites/default/files/8_rtb_lease_vs_licence_guidance_note.pdf
    davindub wrote: »
    But for reading this passage on the RTB website and applying your own logic, you would not have concocted your scheme? Have you verified it against the act? Have you tested this somewhere or does the OP test for you and face the consequences alone if the RTB disagrees? When you answer these questions, what you have posted looks less appealing.

    I added the comma to show what the RTB meant to convey. You can remove it if you wish, find a landlord offering a licensee arrangement and then take it through the courts if you want. Because I know the RTB won't take your case if the landlord does it correctly and the courts won't treat it as a tenancy if the landlord doesn't.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,548 ✭✭✭Claw Hammer


    I have seen landlords being prosecuted in the District Court for non-registration of tenancies. Their defence was that they had entered a licence agreement. Invariably they were convicted and fined.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    The day you encounter a problem tenant and have to work with the RTB is day the you will be a bitter reluctant landlord. Plus on average, you give up around 10k per year in income by renting the property as a whole.

    Hopefully I dont experience that but am aware of the pitfalls now.
    Thanks to all for the advice given, think I am going to manage the letting myself. A work college has given me a letting agreement and some good advice also so will work off that and hopefully be able to vet a decent tenant who doesn't trash the place or refuses to pay rent after 6 months :o


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,039 ✭✭✭✭Geuze


    iwilldare wrote: »
    cant sell, its still in negative equity. Would sell in a heartbeat if I could.


    In negative equity after 11 years?

    Say bought in 2007.

    If it's in a high-demand area, could it still be in negative equity?

    I hope people aren't confusing negative equity with capital losses.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,548 ✭✭✭Claw Hammer


    Geuze wrote: »
    In negative equity after 11 years?

    Say bought in 2007.

    If it's in a high-demand area, could it still be in negative equity?

    I hope people aren't confusing negative equity with capital losses.

    A lot of property is not back to 2007 prices. Some are still around 505 of peak.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    Geuze wrote: »
    In negative equity after 11 years?

    Say bought in 2007.

    If it's in a high-demand area, could it still be in negative equity?

    I hope people aren't confusing negative equity with capital losses.

    bought for 350,000
    Now worth 250,000 -260,000
    Approx 70/75k paid off mortgage

    Its not huge NE but still am not taking the hit

    Its a hight demand area for rentals, about 8 currently on daft, but its not killiney :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    iwilldare wrote: »
    bought for 350,000
    Now worth 250,000 -260,000
    Approx 70/75k paid off mortgage

    Its not huge NE but still am not taking the hit

    Its a hight demand area for rentals, about 8 currently on daft, but its not killiney :D

    Plus its a tracker mortgage (remember them) so will hold on to it for now and see what happens in the future.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    You appeared to have a issue with how they had presented it on their site.



    I refer to the guesthouse and a apartment tenant in past rulings. Finding it hard to go back over my posts here and find where I went through both rulings. Both rulings were based on the premise of exclusive access to the property(B&B was non-exclusive, apartment tenant was exclusive use).

    If you are deemed to be a licensee by the RTB, meeting the criteria set out by the act and the RTB, then your relationship with the landlord is not applicable to the act and you no longer have the same protections.

    The RTB themselves are very clear on this, on their site and in rulings. I am aware of a number of landlords doing this in Dublin, whose licensees have tried and failed to take a case against them in the RTB.

    https://www.icsh.ie/sites/default/files/8_rtb_lease_vs_licence_guidance_note.pdf



    I added the comma to show what the RTB meant to convey. You can remove it if you wish, find a landlord offering a licensee arrangement and then take it through the courts if you want. Because I know the RTB won't take your case if the landlord does it correctly and the courts won't treat it as a tenancy if the landlord doesn't.

    The RTB won't take the case because of locus standi.

    Look I feel this has been well covered over the last 14 years since the introduction of the act and previously under the landlord and tenant acts, no one claiming these type of claims can actually link a single case despite claiming they know of cases. So I suppose either link a case or don't claim you have examples at all. Even on the link you've posted above, it gives the examples of guesthouse, b&b & owner occupied dwellings, all of which can be linked back to the RTA itself.

    I wouldn't believe anyone who runs a property in this manner and claims to be legal which I suppose goes back to actually finding a case where it has been tested.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,039 ✭✭✭✭Geuze


    iwilldare wrote: »
    bought for 350,000
    Now worth 250,000 -260,000
    Approx 70/75k paid off mortgage

    Its not huge NE but still am not taking the hit

    Its a hight demand area for rentals, about 8 currently on daft, but its not killiney :D

    Bought at 350k.

    Assume 90% mortgage 315k.

    Mortgage now 240-245k.

    House not worth 250-260k

    So not in negative equity.

    Capital loss - yes.


  • Posts: 24,714 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    davindub wrote: »
    The RTB won't take the case because of locus standi.

    Look I feel this has been well covered over the last 14 years since the introduction of the act and previously under the landlord and tenant acts, no one claiming these type of claims can actually link a single case despite claiming they know of cases. So I suppose either link a case or don't claim you have examples at all. Even on the link you've posted above, it gives the examples of guesthouse, b&b & owner occupied dwellings, all of which can be linked back to the RTA itself.

    I wouldn't believe anyone who runs a property in this manner and claims to be legal which I suppose goes back to actually finding a case where it has been tested.

    Why is it stated in the RTA so if there aren’t situations where it can be put in place?

    It clearly states that there is a situation where a licensee situation can occur even if the LL does not live there in certain situations.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    davindub wrote: »
    The RTB won't take the case because of locus standi.

    Look I feel this has been well covered over the last 14 years since the introduction of the act and previously under the landlord and tenant acts, no one claiming these type of claims can actually link a single case despite claiming they know of cases. So I suppose either link a case or don't claim you have examples at all. Even on the link you've posted above, it gives the examples of guesthouse, b&b & owner occupied dwellings, all of which can be linked back to the RTA itself.

    I wouldn't believe anyone who runs a property in this manner and claims to be legal which I suppose goes back to actually finding a case where it has been tested.

    Why is it stated in the RTA so if there aren’t situations where it can be put in place?

    It clearly states that there is a situation where a licensee situation can occur even if the LL does not live there in certain situations.

    Which part of the legislation are you referring to? Have a look at the exemptions where a tenancy will not arise under the act, if its not there it was excluded from the exemptions.

    Put it like this, if the act had to exclude holiday accommodation, where a tenancy could never have arisen.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,119 ✭✭✭Tails142


    iwilldare wrote: »
    Plus its a tracker mortgage (remember them) so will hold on to it for now and see what happens in the future.

    If you rent out your house and presumably live elsewhere, do you have to tell your bank that its not your principal residence and therefore must be changed to a buy-to-let mortgage, potentially losing your tracker?

    Just wondering, we bought a second house recently and the mortgage was reclassified as buy-to-let. Didn't have an impact as the rates are currently the same, emphasis on currently.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    davindub wrote: »
    The RTB won't take the case because of locus standi.

    Look I feel this has been well covered over the last 14 years since the introduction of the act and previously under the landlord and tenant acts, no one claiming these type of claims can actually link a single case despite claiming they know of cases. So I suppose either link a case or don't claim you have examples at all. Even on the link you've posted above, it gives the examples of guesthouse, b&b & owner occupied dwellings, all of which can be linked back to the RTA itself.

    I wouldn't believe anyone who runs a property in this manner and claims to be legal which I suppose goes back to actually finding a case where it has been tested.

    Residential tenancys act, 2004

    12.—(1) In addition to the obligations arising by or under any
    , other enactment, a landlord of a dwelling shall—
    (a) allow the tenant of the dwelling to enjoy peaceful and exclusive
    occupation of the dwelling,

    If you cannot provide exclusive occupation of the dwelling, then you cannot meet the very first criteria of a tenant landlord relationship.

    Have you any test cases to link to, where the landlord claimed and had proof the tenant had no exclusive use of the property, where the RTB was bypassed and the case was taken by a court?
    davindub wrote: »
    Which part of the legislation are you referring to? Have a look at the exemptions where a tenancy will not arise under the act, if its not there it was excluded from the exemptions.

    Put it like this, if the act had to exclude holiday accommodation, where a tenancy could never have arisen.....

    Why don't you start linking to cases where your point is made, rather then keep fronting that evidence exists to support your argument, but providing none.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,691 ✭✭✭4ensic15


    Residential tenancys act, 2004

    12.—(1) In addition to the obligations arising by or under any
    , other enactment, a landlord of a dwelling shall—
    (a) allow the tenant of the dwelling to enjoy peaceful and exclusive
    occupation of the dwelling,

    If you cannot provide exclusive occupation of the dwelling, then you cannot meet the very first criteria of a tenant landlord relationship.

    Have you any test cases to link to, where the landlord claimed and had proof the tenant had no exclusive use of the property, where the RTB was bypassed and the case was taken by a court?



    Why don't you start linking to cases where your point is made, rather then keep fronting that evidence exists to support your argument, but providing none.

    There are cases where the RTB refused to accept jurisdiction. If a case went to court the tenant would have had to claim a tenancy and the court would have had to make a decision. Since such cases would proceed in the lower courts there would likely be no reported decision. The RTB did find in a case concerning student accommodation that it was a licence situation not a tenancy and based it on a number of factors.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 102 ✭✭John DoeReMi


    How hard can it be in this day and age to find decent tenants when even the most respectable people can't afford to buy a house? As long you don't take rent allowance tenants - many of whom are the kind of welfare dependant toerags you wouldn't touch with a bargepole - it's a golden age for landlords. Demand references from employers and previous landlords, follow up on those references and then interview the prospective tenants face to face.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 809 ✭✭✭filbert the fox


    How hard can it be in this day and age to find decent tenants when even the most respectable people can't afford to buy a house? As long you don't take rent allowance tenants - many of whom are the kind of welfare dependant toerags you wouldn't touch with a bargepole - it's a golden age for landlords. Demand references from employers and previous landlords, follow up on those references and then interview the prospective tenants face to face.

    Yeh, with USC, PRSI, higher taxes, Property tax, paring away loan interest, over regulation, over emphasis on tenant rights .... sure it's a bonanza.... for the industry.


  • Posts: 24,714 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    davindub wrote: »
    Which part of the legislation are you referring to? Have a look at the exemptions where a tenancy will not arise under the act, if its not there it was excluded from the exemptions.

    Put it like this, if the act had to exclude holiday accommodation, where a tenancy could never have arisen.....

    What is a licensee:


    1. persons staying in hotels, guesthouses, hostels, etc.,

    2. persons sharing a house/apartment with its owner e.g. under the ‘rent a room’ scheme or ‘in digs’,

    3. persons occupying accommodation in which the owner is not resident under a formal license arrangement with the owner where the occupants are not entitled to its exclusive use and the owner has continuing access to the accommodation and/or can move around or change the occupants, and

    4.persons staying in rented accommodation at the invitation of the tenant.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    davindub wrote: »
    The RTB won't take the case because of locus standi.

    Look I feel this has been well covered over the last 14 years since the introduction of the act and previously under the landlord and tenant acts, no one claiming these type of claims can actually link a single case despite claiming they know of cases. So I suppose either link a case or don't claim you have examples at all. Even on the link you've posted above, it gives the examples of guesthouse, b&b & owner occupied dwellings, all of which can be linked back to the RTA itself.

    I wouldn't believe anyone who runs a property in this manner and claims to be legal which I suppose goes back to actually finding a case where it has been tested.

    Residential tenancys act, 2004

    12.—(1) In addition to the obligations arising by or under any
    , other enactment, a landlord of a dwelling shall—
    (a) allow the tenant of the dwelling to enjoy peaceful and exclusive
    occupation of the dwelling,

    If you cannot provide exclusive occupation of the dwelling, then you cannot meet the very first criteria of a tenant landlord relationship.

    Have you any test cases to link to, where the landlord claimed and had proof the tenant had no exclusive use of the property, where the RTB was bypassed and the case was taken by a court?
    davindub wrote: »
    Which part of the legislation are you referring to? Have a look at the exemptions where a tenancy will not arise under the act, if its not there it was excluded from the exemptions.

    Put it like this, if the act had to exclude holiday accommodation, where a tenancy could never have arisen.....

    Why don't you start linking to cases where your point is made, rather then keep fronting that evidence exists to support your argument, but providing none.

    Why would I be able to link to test cases where the RTB was bypassed? That cases for the example you gave exist was your claim? You particularly said you know of landlords had been to the RTB?

    "Allow" does not infer that you can choose or that lack of prevents a tenancy occuring.

    As for providing evidence, the legislation which is entire basis should be evidence enough? I did say you could research tenancy yourself, you can do the same for exclusive occupation vs possession. Again just 1 test used by the RTB.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    davindub wrote: »
    The RTB won't take the case because of locus standi.

    Look I feel this has been well covered over the last 14 years since the introduction of the act and previously under the landlord and tenant acts, no one claiming these type of claims can actually link a single case despite claiming they know of cases. So I suppose either link a case or don't claim you have examples at all. Even on the link you've posted above, it gives the examples of guesthouse, b&b & owner occupied dwellings, all of which can be linked back to the RTA itself.

    I wouldn't believe anyone who runs a property in this manner and claims to be legal which I suppose goes back to actually finding a case where it has been tested.

    Residential tenancys act, 2004

    12.—(1) In addition to the obligations arising by or under any
    , other enactment, a landlord of a dwelling shall—
    (a) allow the tenant of the dwelling to enjoy peaceful and exclusive
    occupation of the dwelling,

    If you cannot provide exclusive occupation of the dwelling, then you cannot meet the very first criteria of a tenant landlord relationship.

    Have you any test cases to link to, where the landlord claimed and had proof the tenant had no exclusive use of the property, where the RTB was bypassed and the case was taken by a court?
    davindub wrote: »
    Which part of the legislation are you referring to? Have a look at the exemptions where a tenancy will not arise under the act, if its not there it was excluded from the exemptions.

    Put it like this, if the act had to exclude holiday accommodation, where a tenancy could never have arisen.....

    Why don't you start linking to cases where your point is made, rather then keep fronting that evidence exists to support your argument, but providing none.

    Why would I be able to link to test cases where the RTB was bypassed? That cases for the example you gave exist was your claim? You particularly said you know of landlords had been to the RTB?

    "Allow" does not infer that you can choose or that lack of prevents a tenancy occuring.

    As for providing evidence, the legislation which is entire basis should be evidence enough? I did say you could research tenancy yourself, you can do the same for exclusive occupation vs possession. Again just 1 test used by the RTB.
    davindub wrote: »
    Which part of the legislation are you referring to? Have a look at the exemptions where a tenancy will not arise under the act, if its not there it was excluded from the exemptions.

    Put it like this, if the act had to exclude holiday accommodation, where a tenancy could never have arisen.....

    What is a licensee:


    1. persons staying in hotels, guesthouses, hostels, etc.,

    2. persons sharing a house/apartment with its owner e.g. under the ‘rent a room’ scheme or ‘in digs’,

    3. persons occupying accommodation in which the owner is not resident under a formal license arrangement with the owner where the occupants are not entitled to its exclusive use and the owner has continuing access to the accommodation and/or can move around or change the occupants, and

    4.persons staying in rented accommodation at the invitation of the tenant.


    See the previous posts.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    How hard can it be in this day and age to find decent tenants when even the most respectable people can't afford to buy a house? As long you don't take rent allowance tenants - many of whom are the kind of welfare dependant toerags you wouldn't touch with a bargepole - it's a golden age for landlords. Demand references from employers and previous landlords, follow up on those references and then interview the prospective tenants face to face.

    I have no idea how hard it is as I have never let before. Wouldn't rule out anyone, plenty of people on hap work maybe on lower wages, just want someone decent who respects the place and pays on time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    davindub wrote: »
    Why would I be able to link to test cases where the RTB was bypassed? That cases for the example you gave exist was your claim? You particularly said you know of landlords had been to the RTB?

    "Allow" does not infer that you can choose or that lack of prevents a tenancy occuring.

    As for providing evidence, the legislation which is entire basis should be evidence enough? I did say you could research tenancy yourself, you can do the same for exclusive occupation vs possession. Again just 1 test used by the RTB.

    The licensees tried to lodge a case with the RTB, it was denied based on the RTB guidelines on what is or isn't a licensee. No case records because no case.

    The RTB is the first port of call for tenancy related issues, not the courts. If you do not have a tenancy, then the RTB won't take your case and the RTA isn't applicable.

    Like I said before, if you believe that not to be the case then feel free to take a tenancy like this(lots of them out there) and take a case through the courts to establish something other then a RTB ruling. Because right now, if the landlord is very clear on non-exclusive use of the property and has a wealth of evidence, the RTB does nothing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    davindub wrote: »
    Why would I be able to link to test cases where the RTB was bypassed? That cases for the example you gave exist was your claim? You particularly said you know of landlords had been to the RTB?

    "Allow" does not infer that you can choose or that lack of prevents a tenancy occuring.

    As for providing evidence, the legislation which is entire basis should be evidence enough? I did say you could research tenancy yourself, you can do the same for exclusive occupation vs possession. Again just 1 test used by the RTB.

    The licensees tried to lodge a case with the RTB, it was denied based on the RTB guidelines on what is or isn't a licensee. No case records because no case.

    The RTB is the first port of call for tenancy related issues, not the courts. If you do not have a tenancy, then the RTB won't take your case and the RTA isn't applicable.

    Like I said before, if you believe that not to be the case then feel free to take a tenancy like this(lots of them out there) and take a case through the courts to establish something other then a RTB ruling. Because right now, if the landlord is very clear on non-exclusive use of the property and has a wealth of evidence, the RTB does nothing.


    The Rtb doesn't deny cases before the hearing where are you getting this from? So if there was a decision where the RTB decided it was outside of the application of act there would of course be record.

    No courts use guidelines to the legislation, they use legislation, binding judgements etc. Guidelines are more like a guide for the public to try and understand, sometimes they are wrong or misleading.

    I don't think I need to become a tenant of one of these slums to test it, you advised someone that it works, kindly verify that it does.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,691 ✭✭✭4ensic15


    davindub wrote: »
    The Rtb doesn't deny cases before the hearing where are you getting this from? So if there was a decision where the RTB decided it was outside of the application of act there would of course be record.

    .

    The RTB certainly does refuse cases before a hearing. Case officers contact people and tell them in is not an RTB matter. It is probably unlawful. but it happens.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    How hard can it be in this day and age to find decent tenants when even the most respectable people can't afford to buy a house? As long you don't take rent allowance tenants - many of whom are the kind of welfare dependant toerags you wouldn't touch with a bargepole - it's a golden age for landlords. Demand references from employers and previous landlords, follow up on those references and then interview the prospective tenants face to face.

    A lot of the time is professionals who trash a house. Also sometimes people use a dummy person to pass the check then move someone else in.

    Some people spend their entire lives planning scams and ways to work the system. Most other people will have spent a fraction of that time trying to avoid getting scammed.

    The govt could fix this or greatly reduce it with a national register and a bond system. But it's pretty clear they aren't interested.


  • Posts: 24,714 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    davindub wrote: »


    See the previous posts.

    Your previous posts are attempts at explaining it away but they don’t, the fact is that there are situations where a licensee situation can occur even when the LL does not live there and the fact that it is acknowledged in the rules 100% confirms this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    davindub wrote: »


    See the previous posts.

    Your previous posts are attempts at explaining it away but they don’t, the fact is that there are situations where a licensee situation can occur even when the LL does not live there and the fact that it is acknowledged in the rules 100% confirms this.

    The exemptions are in the act itself, so holiday accommodation etc. No what you linked to are not the rules, just educational and incorrectly interpreted by some. I know it refers to holiday accommodation, the same text is usually accompanied by examples of guesthouses etc. There is a big warning on the bottom of the page you should also read.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,447 ✭✭✭davindub


    4ensic15 wrote: »
    davindub wrote: »
    The Rtb doesn't deny cases before the hearing where are you getting this from? So if there was a decision where the RTB decided it was outside of the application of act there would of course be record.

    .

    The RTB certainly does refuse cases before a hearing. Case officers contact people and tell them in is not an RTB matter. It is probably unlawful. but it happens.

    Some rogue administrator dispensing judgements? Or telephone mediation?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 568 ✭✭✭rgodard80a


    Have you considered renting to council on one of their long term rental schemes.

    Not recommended.

    Council will pay a fraction of the rental market rate and lock you into that rate for 4 years (initially). Then a 3 year rent review after that.
    There's a huge number of hoops to jump through while they validate your property and you've no say in who they put in... which will be guaranteed to be
    social housing tenants.

    One thing to note, once you start renting you lose your mortgage interest relief at source, so you have to notify your mortgage provider. On the other side, I believe starting next year you can claim tax credit on 100% of your mortgage interest payments. Note it's a tax credit, so if you pay €3000 in mortgage interest you'd likely only get half of that back.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 iwilldare


    Tails142 wrote: »
    If you rent out your house and presumably live elsewhere, do you have to tell your bank that its not your principal residence and therefore must be changed to a buy-to-let mortgage, potentially losing your tracker?

    Just wondering, we bought a second house recently and the mortgage was reclassified as buy-to-let. Didn't have an impact as the rates are currently the same, emphasis on currently.

    No idea on this but will have to find out. Still living there until mid Dec and will be moving into new house then


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