Advertisement

Embarrassed landlord 'won't admit it in public'

Ex-Minister of State Robert Troy said he personally would not apologise for being a landlord
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

16.30 25 Aug 2022


Share this article


Embarrassed landlord 'won't ad...

Embarrassed landlord 'won't admit it in public'

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

16.30 25 Aug 2022


Share this article


One landlord has said he doesn't mention in public that he is a landlord for fear of people's reaction.

James in Dublin describes himself as an "accidental landlord", after having an apartment in negative equity.

He was speaking after former Minister of State Robert Troy said he personally would not apologise for being a landlord.

Advertisement

James told Lunchtime Live: "I would tend to keep it quiet, I wouldn't really mention it to anybody who doesn't already know that I am one.

"It's not been a pleasant experience... it's been an expensive experience, and I wouldn't advise anyone to become one anyway."

James said it's unfair that all landlords are being lumped together.

"You have this vilification of landlords - regardless of whether you're a real estate investment trust, someone like Robert Troy who has 10 or 20 properties, or someone like myself or a mom and pop landlord who have one little retirement income home.

"It doesn't seem to matter who you are, I think.

"I would keep it quiet in company, I wouldn't broadcast the fact that we have rental property".

Paul in Dublin is the landlord of one property, and he's actually making a loss.

"I've been paying my mortgage of €1,400 a month, I get €1,800 a month rent - which may be high - but I pay €900 of that €1,800 to the taxman.

"[This] leaves me with a net loss of €500 a month.

"To be honest with you, I apologise to nobody.

"I get up early in the morning, I got the deposit for the house, I bought it.

"And now I'm listening to people talking about - everybody has rights, except the landlord.

"The only thing the landlord has to do now is sit back and let his house be taken off him, if you listen to Sinn Féin and everybody else".

And Paul said landlords shouldn't have to apologise.

"If the Government builds public housing, that's great - they can give that away to people - but not my house.

"I bought my house, I paid for my house, I paid for it with after-tax income.

"And I'm sick and tired of listening to people going on about greedy landlords.

"Most accidental landlords in Ireland are like me: they've all paid for their house, they're all been under pressure, it was in negative equity.

"At best now property's back to a price that it was in 2006, and everybody's up in arms about it - saying 'landlords are making a fortune'.

"I don't see why a landlord should apologise".

Main image: A man standing in an empty apartment. Picture by: incamerastock / Alamy Stock Photo

Share this article


Read more about

Apologies Apologise James Landlord Landlords Lunchtime Live Paul Robert Troy

Most Popular