‘We need more long-term security’ says man evicted with family
Brazilian national Celso Lemos, his college lecturer wife Cristiane Da Mata, and their children, Olivia, 4, and Matias, 2, were forced to leave their rented home in the Eden development in Blackrock, Cork, after receivers moved to sell it.
Mr Lemos, who moved to Ireland in 2006 to work, said they chose Eden because the apartments were family friendly.
But he said his experience in recent weeks, once the receivers moved to sell his and 34 other of the 127 Eden apartments they control, has been difficult.
“I was checking tenant rights on the PRTB website and about a quarter of the documents set out tenants’ rights, but three quarters set out your obligations as a tenant,” he said.
“All the legislation is weighted towards landlords. I love living in Ireland for many reasons but now I got so frustrated with the rental situation here.
“There are so many barriers and so little long-term security. We considered relocating to continental Europe where tenants have long-term security.
“There has to be some level of respect here for the basic needs of tenants, like long-term security.”
Grant Thornton said Lisney Estate Agents has been appointed to handle the sale of the apartments and any tenants who have shown an interest in purchasing their property have been directed to Lisney.
But Mr Lemos said once he was notified in January that his tenancy was being terminated, he expressed an interest in buying the apartment but was told it was already under negotiation with a potential buyer.
He said when he asked if he could discuss renting it from this potential buyer, he was told that was not an option.
He said he and his family were left with no option but to relocate. They are now renting near UCC.
“I am sick of this abusive legislation and the domination of the landlord over the tenant,” he said.
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