Two once friendly flatmates installed CCTV cameras with the aim of monitoring each other after their friendship soured while sharing accommodation for a considerable number of years, a Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) tribunal reportedly suggested.
The tribunal, which convened in July, dealt with a case where one of the flatmates desired to have his parents stay over at the leased property during the festive season for a fortnight, a desire that further strained their already frail relationship.
In this property based in Dublin 11, lived two individuals – Gabriel Lazar and Marius Cadar. According to Mr. Lazar, his ex-flatmate, Mr. Cadar, was determined to host his parents at the house, regardless of the objections put forth by himself and the property owner, LiChang Liu.
Mr. Lazar expressed to the tribunal that a week’s stay could perhaps be acceptable but was distressed over the fact that the parents of Mr. Cadar were planning frequent visits, which was not something he found agreeable.
Mr. Cadar’s parents followed through with their visits and stayed at the property over a week in December 2023 and another week the following month.
Mr. Lazar further alleged that Mr. Cadar’s sibling verbally assaulted, physically attacked, and threatened him. He also added that Mr. Cadar began causing disturbances by making loud noise with the TV. The tribunal was handed pictures taken of a CCTV camera in their living room, which Mr. Lazar claimed was set up by Mr. Cadar. He further claimed that Mr. Liu had not addressed this.
Mr. Lazar reported the issue to the local police, only to be informed that it was not a criminal matter, but a civil one.
It was noted at the tribunal that by the conclusion of February, Mr Cadar had relocated, while Mr Lazar had vacated the property in June 2024.
Mr. Liu mentioned to the tribunal that the two had resided together for approximately three to four years and shared a strong friendship earlier, which, for unspecified reasons, had dwindled over time.
According to his statement, post a domestic issue, the duo of occupants began sending him grievances about each other. Interestingly, each proposed elevated rent payment in exchange for his assistance in getting assistance in getting the other evicted. Allegedly, each tenant had a CCTV system in place at the flat, purportedly for mutual surveillance, an act he firmly admonished as it was against the law. Mr Lazar has however, categorically refuted installing any CCTV system in the flat.
In defense, Mr Liu revealed that he had informed Mr Cadar about his roommate’s displeasure with the idea of his parents staying there. He insisted on a mutual discussion to resolve the issue, but lamented that Mr Cadar was unyielding. Whenever a grievance would arise from Mr Lazar, he advised Mr Cadar to maintain peace and stay silent. As a first time landlord, Mr Liu testified that he was striving to do his utmost, as per the last week tribunal’s report.
The tribunal however, found Mr Liu guilty of neglecting his landlord duties and consequently, he was ordered to compensate Mr Lazar €500 as reparation charges. Reportedly, Mr Liu was of the opinion that since the tenants were previous acquaintances, it was their prerogative to iron out their issues. However, the tribunal referred to Mr Liu’s handling of Lazar’s complaints as inadequate, stressing that as the landlord, it was his role to responsibly deal with any disputes. The tribunal stated that Mr Liu was in a position to issue formal written warnings to Mr Cadar, and failing that, initiate termination notice on grounds of antisocial behaviour.