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Landlords from hell

1356

Comments

  • #62
    bluecode
    Closed Accounts Posts: 794 ✭✭✭bluecode


    As a landlord (accidental). I see the other side of it. To be fair we've been a bit lucky with tenants but one group went away for Christmas during the cold winter a couple of years ago. Result was burst pipes and probably hours away from a total disaster to the house. I still asked permission before I entered the house. Replaced beds, furniture even washed the tenants clothes for them before their return. Got the house mostly dried out for them and even bought oil to get heat in the house before they got back.

    Yet they still reported us to Threshold, probably badly advised by friends. I was furious. I pointed out that if they had turned off the water before they left it would never have happened.

    We have since moved back into that house but my wife still rents out a house. The current tenants seem good and we scruplously follow the rules. In my opinion it's completely unacceptable for landlords to behave in the way described and I would report them.

    But it's fair to say it's difficult to make money as a landlord. I just finished our taxes for the year and next year for the the third year running we will make a loss. So it's not surprising some landlords cut corners. Replacing an appliance right now would be a serious problem for us. We can barely afford to do it right now for ourselves.

    So it's not just greed that prompts them to cut corners.


  • #63
    TheUsual
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,288 ✭✭✭TheUsual


    Landlords are a necessary evil - everyone needs somewhere to rent at some point in their lives, here or abroad. No landlords means no mobility or options.

    I couldn't be a landlord though (if I won the lotto say), living off the sweat of someone else's 40 hours hard work a week.
    It's not right.


  • #64
    JustAThought
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,324 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    TheUsual wrote: »
    Landlords are a necessary evil - everyone needs somewhere to rent at some point in their lives, here or abroad. No landlords means no mobility or options.

    I couldn't be a landlord though (if I won the lotto say), living off the sweat of someone else's 40 hours hard work a week.
    It's not right.

    Its a service that you pay for like any other. Or you could save up all your money and buy a place for yourself.

    Othsrwise theres always wheelie houses. Or canvas..


  • #65
    lounakin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 699 ✭✭✭lounakin


    bluecode wrote: »
    As a landlord (accidental). I see the other side of it. To be fair we've been a bit lucky with tenants but one group went away for Christmas during the cold winter a couple of years ago. Result was burst pipes and probably hours away from a total disaster to the house. I still asked permission before I entered the house. Replaced beds, furniture even washed the tenants clothes for them before their return. Got the house mostly dried out for them and even bought oil to get heat in the house before they got back.

    Yet they still reported us to Threshold, probably badly advised by friends. I was furious. I pointed out that if they had turned off the water before they left it would never have happened.

    We have since moved back into that house but my wife still rents out a house. The current tenants seem good and we scruplously follow the rules. In my opinion it's completely unacceptable for landlords to behave in the way described and I would report them.

    But it's fair to say it's difficult to make money as a landlord. I just finished our taxes for the year and next year for the the third year running we will make a loss. So it's not surprising some landlords cut corners. Replacing an appliance right now would be a serious problem for us. We can barely afford to do it right now for ourselves.

    So it's not just greed that prompts them to cut corners.

    So there should be a way to bring good tenants together with good landlords! I totally agree with your point of you, in fact, I think it is their duty to turn off the water and gas before going a way for a while. I always did it. I remember back in my other apartment with the great landlord, we had left for weeks and forgot to put out the bin. We asked the landlord to put it out for us and he did.


  • #66
    Courtesy Flush
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,859 ✭✭✭Courtesy Flush


    The problem with Landlords, like most things, is that any chancer can become one, and most are
    There doesnt seem to be any control over
    a. The character of the Landlord. Most seek references from potential tenants, the Landlord never is asked to produce a reference
    b. The quality/standard of the property they are renting. Surely there should be a minimum standard of rental property that is actually inspected by someone and checked out


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  • #67
    HavingCrack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,847 ✭✭✭HavingCrack


    TheUsual wrote: »
    I couldn't be a landlord though (if I won the lotto say), living off the sweat of someone else's 40 hours hard work a week.
    It's not right.

    They provide a service, eg. somewhere to live, just like all services. Do you hold the same view of every service provider-eg, the hotelier, the publican, the restaurant owner, the builder etc. They all earn money by 'living off the sweat of someone elses 40 hours hard work a week". Every service you purchase comes via money you earned working. I don't see why landlords are there to be villified in a way everyone else isn't.


  • #68
    Topper Harley
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭Topper Harley


    TheUsual wrote: »
    Landlords are a necessary evil - everyone needs somewhere to rent at some point in their lives, here or abroad. No landlords means no mobility or options.

    I couldn't be a landlord though (if I won the lotto say), living off the sweat of someone else's 40 hours hard work a week.
    It's not right.

    A significant amount of tenants are in receipt of rent allowance...not exactly 40 hours hard work a week.


  • #69
    The One Who Knocks
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,301 ✭✭✭The One Who Knocks


    If you plan on moving out, you could always blow up their toilet..
    ...or just leave an absolute shtinker, with skidmarks and everything!

    That is, after you've stopped paying rent for months, and stripped the copper from the walls, and broken just about every appliance in the place.. :D



  • #70
    TheUsual
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,288 ✭✭✭TheUsual


    I touched a nerve maybe.

    Ah well, sell the properties.


  • #71
    Topper Harley
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,698 ✭✭✭Topper Harley


    TheUsual wrote: »
    I touched a nerve maybe.

    Ah well, sell the properties.

    No need, all is good. Landlord provides family with somewhere to live, our taxes pay the rent and the tenants get free accommodation without having to do the 40 hour week slog. Everyone's a winner. :)


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  • #72
    toexpress
    Closed Accounts Posts: 853 ✭✭✭toexpress


    Milk & Honey wrote: »
    I need to check the facts? Read the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. It is in black and white.You clearly haven't read it.

    Ah right, well I tell you what you continue to take advice from the bottom of the Dutch Gold can and I'll continue to take it from my solicitor.


  • #73
    Milk & Honey
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭Milk & Honey


    toexpress wrote: »
    Ah right, well I tell you what you continue to take advice from the bottom of the Dutch Gold can and I'll continue to take it from my solicitor.

    I'd get a different solicitor. Either he can read or, like you, he hasn't bothered. The Act is online and anyone can read it.


  • #74
    toexpress
    Closed Accounts Posts: 853 ✭✭✭toexpress


    Milk & Honey wrote: »
    I'd get a different solicitor. Either he can read or, like you, he hasn't bothered. The Act is online and anyone can read it.

    LOL Well I think given my solicitors record I'll stick where I am

    Unless you have a degree in law, have dealt with such cases and know something that a solicitor with nearly 40 years experience doesn't? What's that, no? I didn't think so

    NEXT


  • #75
    Milk & Honey
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭Milk & Honey


    toexpress wrote: »
    LOL Well I think given my solicitors record I'll stick where I am

    Unless you have a degree in law, have dealt with such cases and know something that a solicitor with nearly 40 years experience doesn't? What's that, no? I didn't think so

    NEXT

    Asking rhetorical questions and invoking a mythical solicitor is no substitute for looking at the law. You claimed there was a fine of €3000 for not registering a tenancy. You have not cited any law in support of your assertion. Unless you get your legendary solicitor to post and identify himself and say where he got that nonsense from I will rely on the Act. has your solicitor ever defended anyone charged with failing to register?

    RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 2004

    144.—(1) If it appears to the Board that a particular tenancy that ought to be registered in the register has not been the subject of an application for registration under section 134 , it shall serve the notice referred to in subsection (2) on the person whom it considers to be the landlord under that tenancy.

    (2) That notice is a notice—

    (a) stating the Board's opinion that the tenancy mentioned in the notice is required to be registered in the register and, accordingly, that an application for registration of the tenancy under section 134 must be made by the addressee of the notice, and

    (b) requesting the addressee of the notice to furnish to the Board, within a period specified in the notice, the reasons why the addressee considers (if such be the case) that the opinion is not well founded.

    (3) If the addressee of the notice referred to in subsection (2)—

    (a) does not furnish to the Board, in accordance with the notice, the reasons requested, or

    (b) furnishes, in accordance with the notice, reasons to the Board which do not result in its altering the opinion stated in that notice,

    the Board shall (unless an application has by then been made under section 134 to register the tenancy) serve a further notice on the addressee stating that he or she is required to apply to the Board under section 134 to register the tenancy in the register and that, if he or she fails to do so within 14 days from the receipt by him or her of the notice, he or she is guilty of an offence.


  • #76
    toexpress
    Closed Accounts Posts: 853 ✭✭✭toexpress


    Mythical solicitor? Seriously? Anyone who owns a property has engaged the services of a solicitor you have to!

    Anyway, I did not say the fine was €3000 I said it was up to €3,000. The PRTB has the right to impose such fines for breaches of the Tenancies Act of 2004. You have copy and pasted something from the statue book, and well done you for that, I am suitably impressed that you have some skills however it does not stand to your point that the fine is €90

    Now on that note, given our previous encounters on this subject unless you have something of intelligence to say as opposed to just making inflammatory statements which you attempt to justify with no real tangible evidence I suggest we park that one there. It's not the first time you have tried this form of attack with me and I dare say it's unlikely to be the last but I really haven't the energy for someone like you today


  • #77
    keithclancy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,157 ✭✭✭keithclancy


    Have been living out of Ireland now for 5 years and have rented in Germany and the Netherlands.

    Always rented in Ireland, but tbh my overall experience of it was that it was pretty unprofessional.

    The best landlord I had in Ireland was when I was living in Cork. I never saw her unless there was a problem with something in the apartment, she never came unannounced either.

    Some landlord were gas, I was living in a place out in Bray for a year and when we were moving out the 'agency' (if you could call them that) gave us a deposit in the form of a cheque after they had inspected the place and confirmed everything was up to scratch (place was spotless)

    We said we wanted cash as we paid in cash. They said the didn't keep cash and it was all in the bank :rolleyes:

    We said that was fine, they could just write us a letter stating that the property was in a deposit refundable state and that the cheque would be honored.

    They went away, then called on the mobile saying that they had thought about it and there was some wear and tear around the house that would need to be taken out of the deposit.

    I said fine, we'll be staying in the house until you give us back our deposit. They threatened calling the Gardai etc, I said fine then please call the Gardai, they'll tell you its a Civil matter and won't do anything without a Court Order.

    So anyway a Garda called to the door, said that if we didn't leave that he'd have to take action, I asked him if he had an order from the court to do this, he said "Don't you get smart with me sonny jim"

    I said where are you stationed

    He said "That doesn't matter"

    I took out my mobile and started to dial the local Garda station, he asked what I was doing. I said I was calling the Gardai because he hadn't identified who he was, what station he was operating from etc so as far as I was concerned he was a guy wearing a Garda uniform.

    He became very flustered then, said that he was stationed down in Kildare and was doing a favor for X person in the Agency.

    Then he scurried off to what what I assume was his car.

    Got our deposit back a few days later.

    Bloody cowboys.


  • #78
    Milk & Honey
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭Milk & Honey


    toexpress wrote: »
    Mythical solicitor? Seriously? Anyone who owns a property has engaged the services of a solicitor you have to!

    Anyway, I did not say the fine was €3000 I said it was up to €3,000. The PRTB has the right to impose such fines for breaches of the Tenancies Act of 2004. You have copy and pasted something from the statue book, and well done you for that, I am suitably impressed that you have some skills however it does not stand to your point that the fine is €90

    Now on that note, given our previous encounters on this subject unless you have something of intelligence to say as opposed to just making inflammatory statements which you attempt to justify with no real tangible evidence I suggest we park that one there. It's not the first time you have tried this form of attack with me and I dare say it's unlikely to be the last but I really haven't the energy for someone like you today

    You said there was a huge fine for not registering. Wrong. Just because you might have engaged a solicitor for a conveyance does not mean that the same solicitor knows anything about the Residential Tenancies Act and even if he did that the solicitor discussed it with you.
    The fine is for not registering after being notified to do so. It is not a fine for not registering.
    The only reason you want to park anything is because you are wrong. Why not admit it?
    The only evidence needed is the text of the Act. Real evidence ( I doubt you know what it is) does not come into it. I have never heard of tangible evidence, maybe you can enlighten me or maybe this famed anonymous solicitor can pop up and enlighten us.


  • #79
    ash23
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,791 ✭✭✭ash23


    I've been renting a few years and lived in a few houses.

    I always find it ironic that those landlords with the worst properties tend to be the ones demanding the highest calibre of tenant.

    I rent privately and have a list of references as long as my arm. But I've viewed some serious dives and those are the ones that tend to be asking for references, about my work, about who I am going to be living with etc etc.

    I tend to just use the same letting agent now the whole time because they know me and vouch for me. They also know the type of property I would want to live in so they don't drag me around overpriced dives.


  • #80
    AeoNGriM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 712 ✭✭✭AeoNGriM


    Milk & Honey wrote: »
    You said there was a huge fine for not registering. Wrong. Just because you might have engaged a solicitor for a conveyance does not mean that the same solicitor knows anything about the Residential Tenancies Act and even if he did that the solicitor discussed it with you.
    The fine is for not registering after being notified to do so. It is not a fine for not registering.
    The only reason you want to park anything is because you are wrong. Why not admit it?
    The only evidence needed is the text of the Act. Real evidence ( I doubt you know what it is) does not come into it. I have never heard of tangible evidence, maybe you can enlighten me or maybe this famed anonymous solicitor can pop up and enlighten us.

    A pedantic little pissing contest, now THERE's something you don't see on AH every day. Take it to PM will yiz FFS....


  • #81
    getzls
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 806 ✭✭✭getzls


    I take it Ireland dosen't have similar laws to the U.K.

    In the U.K. a landlord can't enter without prior permission.

    There as maybe in Ireland you can change the lock to stop this, of course you need to re-change it when you move.


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  • #82
    keithclancy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,157 ✭✭✭keithclancy


    getzls wrote: »
    I take it Ireland dosen't have similar laws to the U.K.

    In the U.K. a landlord can't enter without prior permission.

    There as maybe in Ireland you can change the lock to stop this, of course you need to re-change it when you move.

    In Ireland the law is the same, you can call the Gardaí if the Landlord (or anyone for that matter) forces entry to your premises (Rented or owned)


  • #83
    Milk & Honey
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭Milk & Honey


    getzls wrote: »
    I take it Ireland dosen't have similar laws to the U.K.

    In the U.K. a landlord can't enter without prior permission.

    There as maybe in Ireland you can change the lock to stop this, of course you need to re-change it when you move.

    A tenant is not supposed to change the lock in Ireland. The landlord may have to gain access in an emergency.


  • #84
    getzls
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 806 ✭✭✭getzls


    Milk & Honey wrote: »
    A tenant is not supposed to change the lock in Ireland. The landlord may have to gain access in an emergency.

    You say the tenant is not supposed to?

    Yes in an emergency i.e. checking gas etc he can demand entry.

    But tenant in the U.K. can still refuse and the landlord would need a court order to enter.


  • #85
    Jo King
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭Jo King


    getzls wrote: »
    You say the tenant is not supposed to?

    Yes in an emergency i.e. checking gas etc he can demand entry.

    But tenant in the U.K. can still refuse and the landlord would need a court order to enter.

    A tenant needs the written consent of the landlord to alter the locking system of the dwelling.
    This is not the UK. We left the UK 90 years ago and have our own laws here.


  • #86
    getzls
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 806 ✭✭✭getzls


    Jo King wrote: »
    A tenant needs the written consent of the landlord to alter the locking system of the dwelling.
    This is not the UK. We left the UK 90 years ago and have our own laws here.

    Yes i know.

    Think Ireland needs to catch up a bit.


  • #87
    Jo King
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭Jo King


    getzls wrote: »
    Yes i know.

    Think Ireland needs to catch up a bit.

    What do you mean catch up? This is a sovereign independent state and we have more than enough English law already in this country after 700 years of being raped and pillaged by the English. And the UK giving a lead in tenant rights is laughable. The same UK that took most of the edible food out of Ireland and left millions starve and then watched as they were evicted for non-payment of rent.
    We know all about English landlords in this country and we have had quite enough of them thank you very much.


  • #88
    Aye Bosun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 349 ✭✭Aye Bosun


    steddyeddy wrote: »
    There is actually. Ill send you a pm!


    Can you send it to me too please?


  • #89
    HavingCrack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,847 ✭✭✭HavingCrack


    Jo King wrote: »
    What do you mean catch up? This is a sovereign independent state and we have more than enough English law already in this country after 700 years of being raped and pillaged by the English. And the UK giving a lead in tenant rights is laughable. The same UK that took most of the edible food out of Ireland and left millions starve and then watched as they were evicted for non-payment of rent.
    We know all about English landlords in this country and we have had quite enough of them thank you very much.

    Tad over reaction here.


  • #90
    hardCopy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    HavingCrack wrote: »
    Tad over reaction here.

    And quite ironic since it would appear the tenants in England are better protected than in post-colonial Ireland.


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  • #91
    toexpress
    Closed Accounts Posts: 853 ✭✭✭toexpress


    hardCopy wrote: »
    And quite ironic since it would appear the tenants in England are better protected than in post-colonial Ireland.

    I never can understand how people actually believe tenants are not well protected in Ireland, I mean seriously?


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