Hi Elaine, I have found that the best approach is for the LL to go to the property themselves. In your sister's case, if she's stressed and doesn't want to deal with them, she should get a relative / friend who is assertive to go to the property in the evening when it's obvious that there's someone home.
He/she should introduce themselves as acting on behalf of or as an agent of the LL and notify them that although the notice to terminate has been refused, the date of termination still stands and that they will be expected to be out by that date or there will be legal consequences.
I would guess that the fact that she is emailing, texting and using mail to contact them would indicate to them, instead of phone calls and turning up at the door, that she is avoiding face-to-face contact and they may consider this a sign of weakness?
She should of course
be absolutely sure that she is adhering to the quite strict notice of termination of tenancy procedures as outlined by the PRTB.
You don't mention what kind of lease the tenants have - if it's a fixed term lease and they are not at or coming to the end of that lease, your sister cannot legally serve notice to terminate the tenancy because she wants to sell. Even if they are coming to the end of that lease, adequate and precise notice has to be served.
If, however, there are rent arrears, she can serve notice to terminate for this reason but
the notice to terminate must state the reason for the termination.
The
Irishlandlord.com website has lots of good information and they provide sample letters and forms.
Maybe if you post back with some more info, such as the type of lease etc., you'll be able to get more precise info as to how your sister can proceed.
She should definitely not change the locks!