Tenants leaving but won't give back keys etc

My very difficult tenants are finally leaving my property on 15th Jan.

They have apparently changed the locks and are refusing to give me back the new set of keys, so I can't get into the property. They now won't talk to me or to my solicitor. They have refused to respond when asked to leave me inspect the property. They are now not answering their phones etc. or previously my own or solicitors letters.

I was thinking of calling around there on Monday evening to sort the situation out, but they have now told their solicitor that if I do this they will have me for harassment.

I am also quite physically intimaded by the husband as he shouts and roars when I am there - it has gotten so bad that I was going to ask if the gardai were passing the door would they wait while I went to sort the matter out - I am a lone female - I haven't any big brothers or male figures who would accompany me. I genuinely feel afraid of him. I don't think it would go as far as assaulting me, as he is the kind of person who I feel would be conscious of his position, but I don't know. If I don't get the keys back, or have them agree to leave them with someone, then I will have to break in to my own house come the 15th Jan.

Any advice much appreciated.

It shouldn't be a problem to get a locksmith to go with you on 15th January if you want to avoid any further aggravation from your soon-to-be ex-tenants.

On the other hand, if you feel that you need to go to the house beforehand and you feel that your 'personal safety' is at risk, you can ask the Gardai to accompany you.

My solicitor is an ex-Garda and told me that they're obliged to accompany you if you feel this man may attack you.

I was in a similar situation in 2005, but decided to let the idiot move out himself without confronting him. It worked out well this way, so maybe you should wait until he's gone and then change the locks.

Hi! Delgril, thanks for your reply. Glad to know that I can ask the gardai to accompany me. My own experience seems similar to yours. I think it is good advice to probably wait until they have gone. I didn't know that it is so easy for a locksmith to gain entry to the house once the tenants have left. I'm also worried about the state they will leave the place in, but I guess I can't do anything about that now.

Thanks again.

on your first day back into the house bring a camera and a witness to see what the condition of the place is..
i would wait until the tenants are gone.people like that always meet their match someday

Have you a deposit to return. It seems to me that this is not the case and persuing the guy would be a general waste of time so I dont think the state of the place is all that relevant as long as the house is not totally messed up. Good idea to bring a camera and a witness/solicitor/garda though just in case.

Hi

Did the tenants decide to move out themselves or did you issue notice of termination. Secondly are these tenants registered with the PRTB? If the tenants are registered with PRTB and you issued notice of termination, you need to be sure your notice is in accordance with criteria laid down by the Act. Otherwise they could argue that the termination notice is invalid.

If the tenants are registered in the PRTB, then you could complain their behaviour to this board. You would need to do it before they leave the premises otherwise they cannot act.

Also it is always advisable to inspect a property before tenants leave. In your case, you appear to be intimidated by these people and it may not be a good idea for you to approach them yourself. You could have an agent go in to the property to take photographs on your behalf and let the tenants know in writing that your agent will be calling.

Alternatively, as they are leaving, you could simply get a locksmith to change the locks and save yourself a lot of stress. I have been in this situation with tenants who chose to leave themselves but left the property in a mess. I had not inspected it prior to their departure because I was nervous of going in and did not know what to do. If you relet the house, make sure you register with PRTB and ensure you photograph the property before letting, issue a contract and give the new tenants a list of furniture and fixtures.

Good luck
Mangos

I would strongly recommend changing the locks once you have possession back. Your tenants don't sound paricularly trustworthy.

Might also make the suggestion you check with your insurance going forward regarding cover for removing squaters etc from your property, some policies from what I am aware do offer an element of cover, so paying for solicitors wouldn't come out of your pocket. And do change all locks, a new barrell for your door lock only costs €24 in Woodies so well worth it.