Landlord does U-turn on decision to issue eviction notices to 36 households in Wexford
Patchflow Ltd said it recognised the “concern and uncertainty” caused to residents in the Hazelwood development in Bridgetown following the move.Tenants received the notices last Friday – just two days before new rental laws were due to come into effect.Up to 100 people would have been impacted by the mass eviction, which prompted outrage from local politicians and the residents affected.However, the company has now had a change of heart and said it had entered discussions with some tenants who had expressed an interest in buying their homes.A statement issued today said: "Patchflow Ltd recognises the concern and uncertainty that has arisen in recent weeks for tenants living in Hazelwood Estate in Bridgetown."The company understands that receiving notices of termination can be deeply unsettling for tenants and their families and acknowledges the stress this situation has caused within the community."In order to allow time for constructive engagement and to support a resolution process, Patchflow Ltd has decided to withdraw the notices of termination that were issued to tenants."Patchflow Ltd can confirm that discussions have already begun with some tenants who have expressed an interest in purchasing their homes."Over the coming weeks the company will meet tenants on an individual basis to discuss their circumstances and explore what options may be available to them."This arrangement will apply on the basis that existing tenancy agreements remain in place and that all obligations under those agreements, including the payment of rent, continue to be met."Patchflow Ltd hopes that this extended period will allow a constructive process to move forward and create the time and space needed for solutions to be explored for all involved."Given that this process is now under way, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time," the spokesperson concluded.One of the Hazelwood residents, Tina Rowe, had just emerged from her latest round of treatment for stage-four cancer when she got the news of Patchflow Ltd’s U-turn.“My mind is just boggled by it now,” she said. “I’m not sure how to feel about it. To be honest, I still want to get out of there now. There’s been a couple of issues with the house that they just wouldn’t deal with and I can just never feel secure there now.“If Martin Sinnott [a director of Patchflow] decides to sell, then he’s going to sell. I’d always be waiting for that knock on the door.”Under the terms of her eviction notice, Ms Rowe would have had to vacate the property by June of this year. However, she now feels like she has some more time to assess her options and make a plan, while simultaneously going through a major health battle.Last Friday, the Irish Independent reported how an agent who handed out the eviction notices on behalf of the landlord company told one tenant: “Bad news. Have you heard about the new rental rules? We’re serving eviction notices.”A Hazelwood resident provided doorbell video footage of the unidentified agent who handed out the notice.In the recording, a man can be seen calling to the door of the tenant's house just after 12pm on Friday.Watch: Agent hands out eviction notices to 36 homes in Co Wexford on behalf of the landlord “Bad news,” he said to the tenant who answered.“Have you heard about the new rental rules? Yeah, so we’re serving eviction notices, you know.”On March 1, new rental laws came into effect that mean tenancies beginning after that date will have a minimum duration of six years. There are also more restrictive rules surrounding evictions.The tenant who was served the eviction notice asked the agent in the video: “So, we’re getting kicked out then?”“Maybe not,” he responded.“It’s just the new rules are coming in on the 1st of March, right, and our view is they’re very unfavourable to the landlord, you know? We think it’s probably better just to sell up and get out, you know. Today we’re only giving ourselves the option that we can do that. We don’t know how it’s going to pan out over the next fortnight. Next week there will be loads of radio sh*t… shows and political debate, but we will make the final decision then in maybe about 10 days, you know? So that’s the way it’s going.”The situation in Bridgetown was a source of embarrassment for Housing Minister James Browne in his home constituency.Leaked recordings of interactions between agents acting for Patchflow and tenants contradicted Mr Browne's early assertion that it was "misinformation" to suggest the eviction notices were related to new rental rules.He was also forced to deny any connection to Mr Sinnott after a property manager for the company was recorded saying that the pair "know each other personally".On hearing the news that the eviction notices had been withdrawn, Mr Browne said: "I welcome the statement from Patchflow. In particular, I am happy for the families involved in Bridgetown who have been experiencing a very distressful time."I encourage any tenant who is concerned that they have been unfairly given a notice of eviction to reach out to the RTB and engage their dispute resolution process."Local Fianna Fáil councillor Lisa McDonald had been offering legal advice to several of the Hazelwood tenants in her role as a solicitor and she was delighted to see them granted a reprieve, temporarily at least.“After what’s been a very stressful and uncertain week for the tenants, I welcome this decision by the landlord to withdraw the notices of termination that were issued,” she said.“It will come as a huge relief to the families and individuals living in the estate who have faced a very worrying time over the past week.“The withdrawal of these notices now allows space for constructive engagement to take place. The priority must be to work towards the best possible outcome for the tenants and to secure their future tenure in their homes.“It’s important that this process now moves forward in a positive and constructive way. I look forward to playing my part in helping to find a fair and workable resolution for all tenants involved.”
