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In October 2019, Liz Lynam’s world was “rocked” when she received a layoff notice from the new owners of the retirement village she had called home for 10 years.
Ms. Lynam (76) sold her home to move back to her native Limerick in 2010 after learning of a new assisted living complex in Castletroy for a rent of € 1,000 per month.
She made friends for life, had great on-site amenities, and was able to live independently while feeling safe.
“Park Village was the best place I’ve ever lived,” he told the Irish independent.
The retirement village was built in 2008 and consisted of 90 assisted living apartments, 49 two-bed housing units, and a 55-room nursing home.
Fordmount Developments, the company behind the construction of Park Village, went into default in 2009 and its loans were eventually sold by Nama to the Cerberus vulture fund, which in turn sold the town to Edel Madden and Seamus Madden, for more than 6 million euros in August 2019..
Two months later, on Halloween, Ms. Lynam received a knock on her door and was given a notice of termination as the new owners intended to carry out an attic conversion in the home.
“I had lived here for 10 years and thought I was safe for life, so this completely surprised me,” she said.
“I sold my house because I was not medically fit to take care of myself and The Park was truly a dream for me. It had two bedrooms so my sister or friends could come and stay, we had a fabulous clubhouse where we could go for fresh coffee and scones every morning.
“In 2018, when Limerick pitchers won All-Ireland, the team came with the Liam MacCarthy Cup and we had a fabulous event with singing, music and cakes. I really loved living there.”
On December 2, Ms. Lynam received a new notice of termination stating that she had to vacate the property by July 14, 2020, on the basis that the new owners wanted to make “home improvements”.
It was at this point that he contacted the Threshold housing charity for advice and was urged to file a dispute with the Residential Leasing Board (RTB).
The RTB found that the termination notice was invalid because “it was not clear from the notice what works will actually be carried out and why they required vacant possession.”
The decision was appealed by Ms. Madden and Mr. Madden, directors of Castletroy Retirement Village Operations Limited, and a court hearing was to be held on December 17.
However, the owners withdrew their appeal last week.
Ms. Lynam left the property at the height of the pandemic for a new home where the rent is higher and the same amenities are not available.
A comparable bungalow to the one you previously rented is now being advertised for € 1,500 per month in Park Village.
“Without Threshold, I would have been lost. There is no legislation to protect tenants or retirees, ”said Ms. Lynam.
“The government talks about the need for more houses and many people in the town sold their family houses to come to town and that meant they were releasing houses, and then we were left unprotected when something like this happens.”
Efforts to contact the owners for comment were unsuccessful.
Threshold releases its annual report today, highlighting some of the stressful rental experiences of elderly and vulnerable tenants.
Liz Hackett (72) returned to Ireland in 2016 after discovering that her brother, who sadly passed away this year, had been diagnosed with cancer.
He had spent the last 14 years in New Zealand.
“I decided to rent a two-bedroom apartment in the heart of Galway City – it’s a great place,” he said.
However, four days before the government declared Galway City a rental pressure zone – which means that rents cannot be increased by more than 4% per year – his landlord tried to raise his by 16 percent.
“I contacted Threshold and they helped me go through all the paperwork and fight the increase. Finally, the landlord agreed to leave my rent as it was.
“I’ve never had a problem since, but I think it’s important for people to stand up for themselves. I’m constantly on Facebook responding to posts from people who are having stressful experiences with owners and urging them to seek help. Often, people do not know their rights, especially the most vulnerable or the youngest ”.
Ms. Hackett plans to stay in Ireland and hopes to one day buy her own home.
“I miss New Zealand on a rainy day, but Galway is great. I’m probably a little crazy for living in the city center at my age, but I really love it, there is always something to do. There is always live music or someone to meet for coffee.
“Renting in Ireland can be stressful, but I’m someone who can stand up for myself and I’m glad I had the help to do it.”
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