However, the tribunal also ruled they were illegally evicted and endured substandard conditions, awarding them €12,500 in compensation.
Two tenants in Kilcullen have been ordered to pay their former landlord over €2,000 after a tribunal found both parties at fault in a dispute involving rent arrears, damages, and illegal eviction.
Laura McMahon and Craig Johnson rented a farmhouse in Nicholastown from landlord Michael Behan.
They alleged "horrendous" living conditions, citing mould, damp, a leaking roof, and no power or heating after Behan cut the electricity.
McMahon also claimed belongings, including designer handbags, were damaged during an eviction in February last year when Behan changed the locks and removed their possessions.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) tribunal, according to the Irish Independent, found the tenants owed €14,543 for unpaid rent, damages, and utility bills.
However, the tribunal also ruled they were illegally evicted and endured substandard conditions, awarding them €12,500 in compensation.
This included €10,000 for stress caused by the eviction and €2,500 for property issues.
The landlord argued he cut off electricity due to fire-safety concerns and issued eviction notices after accumulating arrears and needing the property for a family member.
He denied cutting power to force the tenants out.
The tribunal acknowledged his safety concerns but said they didn’t justify breaching tenancy laws.
Ultimately, the tenants' award was offset against their arrears, leaving them to pay €2,043 to the landlord.
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