Landlords sometimes receive an unfairly negative press. The letting of residential property is a legitimate and necessary part of any functioning society and most landlords conduct their business with integrity and respect for the law. But there is something about the exploitation of vulnerable tenants by a small number of unscrupulous individuals that strikes a nerve with the public when it is brought to light. Such cases also raise serious questions about whether the private rental sector is adequately regulated.
The Irish Times has published a number of articles in recent months about the activities of Marc Godart, who rents out a large number of properties in Dublin and around the country. These reports include disturbing allegations about how Godart’s companies treat their tenants, most of whom are recent arrivals in this country. These include breaches of legal rights such as the right to privacy, to security of tenure and to personal safety. Tenants are reportedly crammed in four or more to a room, paying exorbitant rents for the privilege. They are subjected to intrusive and illegal CCTV monitoring. In one court case the judge described the “horrendous experience” of a woman who was illegally evicted. Those who have successfully sued struggle to get the compensation they are owed from the web of companies which Godart controls in Ireland and Luxembourg.
Many of these properties are so overcrowded that they clearly pose a danger to the health and safety of those living there. Yet follow-up investigations indicate that, even when enforcement orders have been made, remediation work is painfully slow, as is enforcement. This, unfortunately, is a recipe for further abuses in the future. It also implies that tenants are continuing to live in buildings that have been officially declared unsafe.
The litany of alleged transgressions seems endless. In a case due to be heard in April, Dublin City Council is alleging that Godart is also using properties in Dublin city centre for short-term letting without planning permission. Given all this, it is hard to disagree with Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, who told the Dáil this week that Godart’s behaviour was “absolutely horrendous”, or with Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan, who said the landlord was “operating with complete and utter impunity”.
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How many Marc Godarts are there? It seems unlikely that he is the only landlord preying on vulnerable tenants. A dysfunctional housing market incentivises unacceptable behaviour. Recent debates about immigration have focused on those seeking international protection. Not enough attention is paid to the living conditions of the much greater number of people who are invited here to fill essential jobs. The State and local authorities have a duty of care to them which they are shamefully failing to meet.