A few days ago, Graziella regained possession of her apartment in Colfontaine. The condition was appalling: feces on the floor, clogged toilets, an unbearable smell, and garbage scattered everywhere. She had rented it to a septuagenarian who likely suffered from Diogenes syndrome. The apartment was deemed uninhabitable, and, according to the owner, the cost to restore it will run into the thousands of euros.
“My tenant completely ruined my apartment, and I have no recourse,” Graziella lamented this Thursday through our orange Alert Us button.
Both disgusted and angry, this landlord describes the condition in which she has just reclaim her property. “It’s indescribable. There’s animal feces on the floor. All the toilets are clogged. She was flushing the litter from her six cats down the toilet. There are hundreds of clothes in the attic and trash everywhere. Everything is filthy,” Graziella explains with disgust. “There were garbage bags with human waste, flies everywhere, and the stench is horrific. I am appalled throughout. She really took advantage of me,” adds the 67-year-old woman, who vows never to rent it again.
The tenant wouldn’t let me in
The tenant is an elderly woman who has lived in the apartment for many years. “In this building, I have a commercial ground floor where my tenant operates a flower shop, and then there is this apartment on the first floor. I rented it to a 76-year-old woman who has lived there since 1997. At that time, my maternal grandmother managed the property. It was a very nice apartment. I got it back when my father passed away about 10 years ago,” explains Graziella.
For a long time, she had no issues. Her tenant consistently paid the rent and never reached out to discuss problems. However, Graziella claims she was denied entry to her property. “Every time I wanted to exercise my annual right to visit as a landlord, the tenant wouldn’t let me in. According to her, it was never a good time,” insists the sixty-year-old.
First Water Damage in 2022
Two years ago, her ground-floor tenant contacted her regarding water damage. At that time, Graziella managed to access her apartment on the first floor. “There was a problem with her boiler, which was leaking. There was a hole in the floor, and she had placed buckets to collect the water,” recalls the owner. “I then realized with horror that she was living in a filthy environment. With a friend, we cleaned and cleared everything while wearing protective suits. We filled garbage bags and a container. I repaired the boiler. It already cost me time and money. She insulted me throughout the process,” laments the sixty-year-old. Nevertheless, her tenant assured her that such a situation would not occur again.
In February, I discovered the truth; I was furious
However, six months later, the situation repeated itself. “In February, I learned the truth, again thanks to my ground-floor tenant. There was a leak in her business, and it was dirty water. She alerted me, so I went there. I went upstairs, knocked on my tenant’s door, and tried to reach her. But the door remained locked. I was furious,” recalls the owner.
After being contacted, the police arrived on the scene and entered the apartment. “And that’s when I discovered the horror. The mayor even came to the scene,” she recounts.
The Building Declared Unsanitary
“The apartment was in terrible condition. It was a disaster; I’ve never seen anything like it. It would take at least six bulldozers to clear it all away. No one knew about it. We asked the neighbors and the owner. The building was declared unsanitary,” confirms Luciano D’Antonio, the mayor of Colfontaine.
Based on the evidence gathered, this woman likely suffers from Diogenes syndrome. “She is entrenched in her filth, and no one could enter her home,” Graziella asserts. This syndrome is a behavioral disorder characterized, among other things, by compulsively accumulating possessions and neglecting hygiene, often resulting in unsanitary living conditions.
The Mayor Deplores His Powerlessness
Aware of the situation, the mayor confirms that he attempted to assist the tenant. “On the day of our intervention, we also called an ambulance, a social worker, and the CPAS. This woman had a serious injury to her leg, which was on the verge of gangrene. I managed to persuade her to get into the ambulance and go to the hospital. But the next day, she signed a release form to return home,” laments Luciano D’Antonio.
“I tried to reason with her, explaining that she couldn’t live in these conditions, but I can’t force her. As mayor, I lack the authority in this matter. One has to wait at least 45 days and obtain a court ruling to evict a tenant. I have done everything legally possible to try to help her,” assures the mayor.
An Eviction Notice
In order to reclaim her apartment, Graziella is taking steps with a justice of the peace. “The decision was made on May 29, and the tenant received an eviction notice for August 19,” she states.
“And in six months, she really destroyed the apartment. It was ten times worse. After the eviction notice, she pleaded with me to allow her to stay in the property, but I don’t even have the authority to decide that. The apartment is considered unsanitary, so she must leave,” Graziella emphasizes, refusing to accept blame. “The tenant told me it was my fault that she no longer had access to water. But she never informed me about any issues. If she had, I would have taken the necessary steps,” she says with a hint of anger in her voice.
I think my tenant is insolvent
Next Monday, the sixty-year-old plans to start clearing out the apartment. “I rented a container. Everything needs to be cleared, cleaned, and the toilets, doors, and kitchen furniture that are no longer functional need to be removed. I also have to fumigate, and I hope there is no dry rot. In total, it will cost me at least 20,000 euros,” estimates the owner, unable to provide quotes or invoices.
Graziella fears she will have to cover all the repair costs herself. “I believe my tenant is insolvent. I have taken steps to have her pension garnished, but according to my lawyer, even if I recover something, it will be very little,” she assures.
According to Sabine Delhaye, a lawyer specializing in tenancy law, it is complicated for landlords to recover anything beyond the rental deposit if a tenant is insolvent. “The pension is below the minimum income that can be garnished. However, it must be determined if the tenant has other assets or sources of income. If she is indeed insolvent, the landlord will bear the costs. At least in this case, there are no rent arrears,” emphasizes the lawyer, who claims to frequently encounter this kind of situation.
On the other hand, if the tenant is solvent, the circumstances change. “When there is damage to the rental property, the best course of action is to conduct a joint report to obtain a judgment. It is necessary to organize a rental exit in the presence of an expert who can assess the repair costs. Cleaning invoices and estimates can also always be utilized. A justice of the peace can then be appointed to make a decision, and normally, all costs can be recovered by the landlord, who must initially pay,” explains Sabine Delhaye.
After renovating her apartment, Graziella has no intention of renting it again. “The laws favor tenants, and it creates too much hassle compared to the profits. It’s over. I will sell it as soon as possible,” the owner concludes.
colfontaine rental housing owner
Devastating State of Rental Properties: A Case Study from Colfontaine
A recent incident in Colfontaine sheds light on the grave issues facing rental property owners, particularly those dealing with tenants suffering from conditions like Diogenes syndrome. Graziella, a property owner, has shared her shocking experience after reclaiming her apartment following years of neglect.
Graziella’s Story: A Tale of Disgust and Disappointment
A few days ago, Graziella got her apartment back in Colfontaine. Excrement was found on the floor, toilets were blocked, and an unbearable smell permeated the air. Garbage was strewn everywhere, leaving the property in a catastrophic state. She had been renting it to a septuagenarian, believed to have been suffering from Diogenes syndrome, which is characterized by extreme neglect of personal hygiene and living conditions. The apartment has now been declared unsanitary, with restoration costs expected to reach thousands of euros.
Graziella expressed her true feelings about the situation: “My tenant simply trashed my apartment and I have no right to anything.” With a heavy heart, she shared, “It’s indescribable. There are animal feces on the floor and all toilets are clogged due to my tenant flushing litter from her six cats. The place is filled with hundreds of clothes and garbage everywhere. Everything is dirty and horrible.”
Blockages and Failed Access to the Property
Describing her ordeal further, Graziella lamented, “Every time I wanted to visit, the tenant would never let me in, claiming it was never the right time.” Graziella reminisced about the first water damage incident she encountered in 2022, when she gained access to her property due to a leak from the tenant’s boiler. “I was horrified to see the conditions she was living in,” Graziella recalled. With the help of a friend, she cleared out the apartment, donning protective gear to tackle the filth and damage.
In February, I discovered the truth, I was furious
Six months after her initial clean-up, Graziella’s situation worsened. “In February, I discovered the truth once again due to water leaking into the ground floor,” she said. Her attempts to contact her tenant went unanswered. The local police were called, and upon entering the apartment, they confirmed the appalling conditions. “It takes at least six bulldozers to clean it all up. No one knew what was happening; the building was declared unsanitary,” affirmed Luciano D’Antonio, the mayor of Colfontaine.
Understanding Diogenes Syndrome
Recognized primarily as a behavioral disorder, Diogenes syndrome includes compulsive hoarding and severe neglect of hygiene, which often results in unsanitary living conditions. In this case, the tenant was found deeply entrenched in filth, making it impossible for anyone to enter her home.
Government Intervention and Assistance
The local government became involved, with Mayor D’Antonio advocating for the tenant’s welfare. “We called for an ambulance and social services, but she refused to accept help after being treated for a serious leg injury,” he noted. According to him, legal processes were initiated to provide assistance, yet obstacles represented by the tenant’s unwillingness to change were evident.
The Eviction Process: Legal Steps Taken
After enduring a prolonged situation, Graziella sought legal recourse. An eviction order was issued, set for August 19. She explained, “In just six months, my apartment became ten times worse.” Receiving the eviction notice prompted the tenant to plead for an extended stay, but the conditions dictated by the unsanitary damage rendered such pleas futile.
I think my tenant is insolvent
Graziella also revealed plans to start clearing the property next week. “I rented a container. Everything must go: furniture, trash, and all items that are unsanitary,” Graziella detailed, anticipating potential costs to exceed 20,000 euros.
Financial Implications for Property Owners
In her case, Graziella fears the financial burden of restoring her apartment will fall entirely on her shoulders. “I think my tenant is insolvent,” she said, voicing concerns over her ability to recover costs. Legal insights from Sabine Delhaye, a lawyer specializing in rental agreements, elaborate on the difficulties landlords face in recovering damages from bankrupt tenants.
What to Do When Facing Bad Tenants
- Documentation: Keep thorough records of all communication and visits regarding your property.
- Legal Advice: Seek legal counsel to understand your rights and the eviction process.
- Regular Inspections: Schedule regular property inspections to monitor the condition.
- Clear Lease Agreements: Ensure your rental agreements are clear about tenant responsibilities regarding property upkeep.
Considerations for Future Rentals
After the restoration of her property is complete, Graziella has decided against renting in the future. “The laws favor tenants too much and create endless troubles compared to the profits,” she remarked. Her plan is to sell the apartment as soon as feasible.
Lessons Learned for Property Owners
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges landlords can face, particularly when dealing with difficult tenants. Understanding legal obligations, maintaining open lines of communication, and remaining vigilant over property conditions can potentially mitigate such challenges.
As the case of Graziella unfolds, it brings critical awareness about tenant rights, landlord challenges, and the compelling issues surrounding property management in today’s housing market.
