Sorry for you going through this, and the one thing that jumped into my mind is that the house would have to be inspected by the Red Cross for the Ukrainians to be assigned to the property.I have a HAP Tenant , a lady in her 40s with 2 late teen/ early adult children in a 3 bed house. Over the last year her daughter had a baby and moved out, and her son moved over to the UK recently to family. (From what I heard it seems he is in hiding from criminal elements ) She was having issues coming up with her "portion" of the rent and owed me over 1k in arrears, her Hap was stopped and re-instated recently at a lower amount. In arrears already, again.
I was over by the house yesterday afternoon chatting to one of my old neighbours, and found out that she took in 3 Ukrainian Refugees last week, a woman and 2 children! I knocked on the door and a child of about 10 answered, and his mother came to the door to tell me that the tenant was not there.
I got a call from her the early today, offering me my arrears. I asked about the refugees, and she said she didn't think I'd mind, and isn't Putin terrible, and the poor children etc.
She is only my 2nd tenant in the house, and in the 3 years she's been there Gardai have been called over fighting and the front window broken, she took on a dog thinking I'd not find out (she was made re-home it) and being honest I'd like to be rid of her altogether. I am in complete shock that she thought she could just invite a family of 3 into the house. I think she did it as she knows how hard accomodation is to find for herself and is using these refugees as an excuse to not be evicted. I am just in the humour to sell the house as it's in Dublin, but I would prefer vacant possession. My partner says she's very devious, and that we'll look like the bad b's "throwing refugee children onto the street". I'm guessing that she either lied or forged my signature if these people are going to be getting welfare from my house.
Have you guys got any advice for me on how to deal with this situation asap, before that family get settled? I honestly feel bad for them, but I'm extremely annoyed at my tenant for pulling this on me. My partner wants me to sell it and get a holiday home in Galway for our own use mainly , and I'm starting to agree. I'm not exactly raking in the cash here, it's not worth the hassle , and the whole situation is giving me grey hairs!
I got a call from her the early today, offering me my arrears
My thoughts too, and it might affect her HAP, another thing aren't people who take in these people meant to garda vetted? .As she has suddenly offered to clear the arrears could she be receiving payment from somewhere for these poor Ukrainian people?
If you had no problem with the tenant’s two children and baby, then why would you have a problem with the refugees? They may even be in a position to allow your tenant to discharge the arrears and keep the rent up to date?
But I do sympathise. You need to look at the Lease you entered into and examine the provisions concerning additional tenants or subletting. It’s usually a condition that a sitting tenant taking on additional tenants or subletting is prohibited unless the landlord consents. So you likely have a breach of condition of the lease which when combined with arrears, can allow you to sever the lease and terminate it by giving notice to the tenant. But in reality the courts and rtb tend to side with the tenant in such instances.
If you’re going to sell, just sell. Give the tenants the requisite notice and hope for the best. Again, it could take years to achieve vacant possession if the tenants decide to dig their heels in.
(I’m an accidental landlord myself and have been through the mill with squatters/over-holding tenants. In one instance I just allowed the tenant have his girlfriend effectively live there with him gratis as he was a good quiet tenant. In another instance I served Notice to Quit as I was selling. When the tenant threatened to overhold, I went legal and thankfully he moved on eventually).
Great points and I know a lot of people who have troublesome tenants and feel that they are helpless, some think that it would be morally wrong to " throw them on the street ".I would issue a termination notice. You appear to be letting your tenant call the shots. (This is the impression I get from your posts and apologies if I am incorrect).
If you are not happy with the business relationship (that's all it is) then issue the relevant paperwork.
You mention you want the property for your family, remember it's your property and your first responsibility is to your family as opposed to a stranger.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?