What should the RTB do when an unregistered landlord is reported to them who has people living in squalor?

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JamieB_

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I have been made aware this weekend of an appalling situation.
A "landlord" has an old commercial premises converted to 2 apartments inside the building and 3 more built on to the back of the building. So 5 apartments in all.
All are rented. The person who told me about this has an elderly relative who has been renting one of these apartments and it really is a hovel. She showed me pictures of mold and rickety furniture. She said she wants to report this to the RTB but their relative is afraid that if they do report it that they would be asked to leave and they are not inclined to resist for fear of causing trouble.

But here is what I have been told about the apartment.
Ice cold in the winter. Only electric heating and it does not heat the place properly at all, so sounds like its not insulated.
No ventilation.
There is a coin meter in the apartment and I was shown a picture of the rate it is set at (80c per unit, robbery).
The outside of the place is like a long flat roof box along the back of the building. There are 3 apartments in this "structure".
There is no way in hell, for the description or the photographs that this place would pass any sort of inspection and I dont think its possible to get it up to code either. There is no BER, and probably could never be a BER for example.
Rent is cash only too.

Im disgusted at this, but what would happen if the tenants relative reported the whole place to the RTB? Would all the tenants end up out on their ears? They are a "large" landlord clearly with 5 apartments between the building and the "extension". I doubt very much that it has planning permission either.
But it concerns me that any "landlord" could allow this, and also ripping off people with electricity prices they are charging too. The persons relative does not want to rock the boat for fear of being homeless, which is terrible for them. What can possibly be done here?
 
JamieB_ said:
The persons relative does not want to rock the boat for fear of being homeless, which is terrible for them.
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Fundamentally, this is a side effect of the shortage in the market. If there was more supply, then they could just find somewhere else.

JamieB_ said:
What can possibly be done here?
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They can get the RTB involved, even if the property is not registered.

In theory, they can't be evicted, so the landlord would have to being the properties up to spec. There would be no rent increases, even if that costs the landlord lots.

Though, maybe the landlord could evict for refurbishment in that case.
 
From what you describe, this property is not fit for human habitation.

My belief is, if reported, the building will be evacuated and boarded up.

The owner may be prosecuted / fined / jailed; but that would be out of your hands.

This person would be well advised to be prepared to offer their relative a home.
 
Thanks everyone. Its just as I suspected. Rogue landlord gets away with it and people just have to suck it up or become homeless.
From the photos I have seen, it should be condemned.
This person wants to report it but then she makes 5 people homeless, some of them very old.
She doesnt want that to happen to anyone, and even her own relative she cannot offer a home to as herself and her husband and daughter are already living with her in laws themselves and no sign of them being able to afford a house themselves any time soon.
 
Another thought. If I were to report this place and it was boarded up, I am assuming someone arrives, boots everyone out and boards it up. What happens to the tenants who now find themselves sitting on the footpath in front of the property with nowhere to go? Im sure some of them will find somewhere but some of them will not have anywhere at all to go. Is there any help for them? Remember some of these people are very old and would not be able to navigate trying to get help. I think at least there should be someone from the council with them to help them and find them a proper place to live first if they are to be boarded up. But is that the case?
 
I know of a similiar set up. Fire happened. One person died in the fire. Too late to report it then.
 
You’re very delusional if you think the council will help. This will only happen when they are actually homeless, and even that you can’t be certain of as there is no magic housing supply.

If this gets reported to the RTB it’s highly likely everyone will get evicted as it sounds like it’s impossible to renovate with people living there.

How did the elderly person end up there? Are they entitled to HAP? What is their income situation. Moving elderly people is difficult. They may be happy where they are. Because they are used to it. Solutions like a dehumidifier, electric blankets… should be considered. Can the landlord be approached for new furniture and to change the cost of the meter.
 
Cervelo said:
I'm guessing it probably doesn't have a current fire safety certificate
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It is not a requirement. But the fire office is probably the only person who has the power to condemn the building, which will cause the tenants to be thrown out. With the current regulations, the landlord maybe delighted if this happens.
 
JamieB_ said:
Is there any help for them? Remember some of these people are very old and would not be able to navigate trying to get help. I think at least there should be someone from the council with them to help them and find them a proper place to live first if they are to be boarded up. But is that the case?
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Would ALONE offer help/advice. Afraid to mention Threshold as so many people complain about them.
 
I think she was on to Alone and age action and they told her to report them, but it wasnt up to them to house the people if they get evicted. They recommended the RTB. She contacted the RTB and they were equally uncommital about what they would actually do for the tenants if the place was closed down apart from contact the RTB to take a case. I cant believe there are situations like this and the only choice really it to let it go on because doing anything else makes OAPs homeless.
 
Have you checked out sheltered housing in her area?

An elderly relative had lived in rental accommodation all her adult life.

She was given notice as the flat was going to be sold.

In Dublin, there are various bodies providing sheltered housing. We wrote to several and she was offered a lovely self contained bungalow in Dublin 6.
 
Thank Valery. I believe he only ended up in this place in the first place because she got nowhere writing to all of these groups who are supposed to help.
 
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