Grebo

We have a new rental property, some of you may remember. It's in the campo with all that entails. Now we have a decent contract & have agreed the landlord access to work his olive trees.
But he's here almost every day, seems the place is actually his base for working every body else's trees plus he's either dumping off fire wood & chopping it up ( with electric saw) or doing some inaim task or other, today he collected his car trailer & is now dumping some more gravel in the garden, the only thing he's done with the olives so far is harvest them.
We really don't want to fall out with him, but each time he arrives there is the risk the scattiest of our two dogs will go AWOL. Plus it's starting to be a PITA.

Any helpful suggestions ?

Suzi

amideislas

Welcome to Spain, Suzi. Land of "not my problem".

You need to do what you feel is best, but as someone who's taken action against Spanish owners in the past, my advice is to just put up with it in hopes that he quits in the summer, realises he's a nuisance and tones it down, or gives you a breather at some point.

In any case, his invasion of your peace is "not his problem".

Taking any offensive action is just asking for a bitter, expensive divorce.

my two pence...

jackytoo

Sorry but you made me laugh

I think it is a spanish thing particularly in the campo. A friend rented a country house with a pool. Every weekend the owner and his extended family turned up. Used the built in BBQ and generally ran riot outside and sat around the pool until 10pm in summer. They didn't find a solution. After the family started wandering in the kitchen and toilet they gave in and moved.

missile

There is no equivalent of the UK right to private enjoyment of your rental property in Spain.

I would look for somewhere else to rent.

Pocaloca

It is that time of year when farmers clear up their old dead wood. I suspect it won't last long. Have you actually talked to him about it and told him you're worried about the dog? He's probably blissfully unaware that there is a problem, but won't want to risk losing a good tenant!

Mitzyboy

You realise in the summer they tend to start at about 6 in the morning??

Dick Dasterdly

Looks like the damage is done, but at least it may provide a warning to others considering signing a contract with similar terms.

Grebo

Yes we told him about the dog before we agreed on price. We ( us & him ? ) are hoping that she might calm down but in the mean time he lets her run out of the gate for a sniff & waits for her to wonder back in !
We don't actually mind the early mornings it's mainly the afternoons & evenings that are annoying.
We did think access to work the Olives was a fair deal. We can't bear to move all our stuff again so soon so will see how it goes for a while & have a look around & see what else is on the market.

Thanks for the comments.

Suzi

amideislas

Most "native" owners I know seem to believe all tenants are tossers (particularly extranajeros)- even when the tenant never complains, keeps the property well maintained and pays the owner a fortune in rents, IBI and whatever other burdens were quietly slid into the contract.

It's as though they believe they are entitled to such "gifts" of "good tenants" and high rents, and like to pretend there are 1000's of fantastic tenants waiting patiently pay even more. When it doesn't work out that way, naturally, it's someone else's fault (Yours, the Government, foreigners, etc).

Most of the "old family" Mallorquin owners seem to believe that they have the right to do whatever they want, whenever they want (it's their property after all), and the tenants have no rights whatsoever. They hold no regard for the law, and don't care about tenant rights. Hence, a huge backlog of denuncias in process, and helps explain why legal action is usually not an efficient or sensible way to handle the dispute.

The usual result of legal action is nothing more than to make both parties angrier and angrier with each other, almost always leading to something needlessly expensive, ultimately eviction (or other termination of contract) and a loss for both sides. Everybody loses (but it will be YOUR fault in every case).

Like missile says: There is no equivalent of the UK right to private enjoyment of your rental property in Spain.

Welcome to Spain. If you want your peace, buy your own property.

Otherwise, try to be nice and discuss it over food & drink. And don't be too serious... Laugh a bit.

...or leave.

cricketman

I've rented three properties in Spain and have had very respectful and welcoming landlords who couldnt do enough to try and keep us happy

Maybe its different if you rent off country bumpkins, I dont know

In any case, if you have doubts about the landlord at the beginning then dont sign the contract, the landlord tenant relationship is an important one

lasenia

sorry to hear that you are not getting your fair share of tranquil campo life

maybe try to find jobs for him to do every time he turns up, paint mouldy wall, grout tiles in bathroom,dripping tap, smelly drain, loose roof tile, loose light fitting,broken fence,clear weeds ...might just decide not to hang around so much

good luck!

Rotor

Like others have said you are on a hiding to nothing, the only chance you may have is to explain in a friendly way you may have to move as you expected the house to be quiet and peaceful , if he values your rent money he may calm it down , otherwise you may have to move , if you do make sure you don't end up in the same situation again ie ensure you have exclusive use of the property.

Hino

Hi Suzi,

If you can't talk the problem out with the owner, there might be merit in putting the word about the local community that you are looking for other accommodation. Word spreads fast in country areas, and if the landlord doesn't wish to lose you as a tenant then he might change his hours, if not his ways, in a hurry.

Good luck

dunmovin

we had a similar situation when we lived in Hong Kong (not the landlord but a neighbour,who was getting very extenisive steel work done) The workers would not do the work on the neighbours land,but outside our front door,and the noise was unbearable. I asked them to move the work onto the property they were working on and they just ignored me....that is when I got angry.

I told the they had five minutes to move everything or it was going to get uncomortable for them.... it did.

I laid out three garden hoses, with sprinklers and turned them on. They weren't long in moving.(angle gridners,and arc welders don't mix well with water)...Me? I was just watering my plants....

Your situation. why not put a lock on the gate? then he has get you to let him in and you can close the gate. He uses an electric saw...tell him he needs to pay part of the electric bill. He cuts up wood...."oh how very nice of you to leave firewood for us...saves us some cash"

If all else fails...get Granny Weatherwax to have a word with him. (you have to be a Terry Pratchett fan to get that bit)

Grebo

Granny it is then

Don't get me wrong he can't do enough to try & please us, the wood is help your self & we have half shares in the Chickens
We had 7 previous years being left well alone so this is somewhat of a shock to the system.
We will try the wine & dine.
And sure wont get caught out again if we do move.

Suzi