Controversial landlord pays tenants €12k in compensation

Three tenants who have been pursuing controversial landlord Marc Godart for thousands of euro in compensation after he illegally evicted them have received their money following a two-year battle.

Francesca Gubellini, Manav Sarvaiya, and Sarah Edwin were awarded damages of €3,000, €3,000, and €4,000 respectively by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) in 2023 over their eviction from an apartment on Reuben Street in Dublin.

After Mr. Godart failed to pay their awards, they registered judgments against him and later pursued legal action.

The matter was due to come before Dublin District Court yesterday after the tenants’ solicitor issued a summons requiring Mr. Godart to file a statement of means and to attend court to be examined about his finances.

The hearing was adjourned until next week because the judge wasn’t available.

It is expected that the tenants will now be seeking to have the application struck out.

The summons had sought payment of the compensation plus €2,460 for costs and expenses.

On Monday morning, the tenants were notified by their lawyer, Eoghan McMahon of McGrath Mullan Solicitors, that Mr. Godart had paid the compensation in full.

In total, he paid €12,710, which included the RTB awards and costs.

Ms. Gubellini (44) said the news was a huge relief. She encouraged other tenants illegally evicted by Mr. Godart to be “persistent” and “stand up for your rights”.

The tenants were evicted in 2022 after the Luxembourg national served a notice of termination because he claimed he intended to sell the building.

They were given until August 2022 to leave. However, some disputed the validity of the notices and could not find alternative accommodation.

Before they left, their belongings were removed from the property and they lost valuable personal items. It transpired that Mr. Godart did not sell the property — but instead rented it out on Airbnb.

The tenants subsequently lodged successful cases with the RTB and were awarded €10,000 between them in January 2023.

“I was anxious about going to court, but I was so happy to receive an email saying he decided to pay,” Ms. Gubellini said.

“We probably should have received more money after what we went through, but all that matters is we won. I hope he learns his lesson, but I don’t think he will.

“The thing is, he was probably hoping that we would give up because of money and time, but we supported each other and continued. We didn’t want to give him what he wanted.

“It’s important that tenants have as much proof as possible so that the RTB can see when a landlord is in the wrong.”

Last year, Mr. Godart was hit with fines of more than €25,000 by the RTB for failing to register tenancies and giving false reasons for evictions.

The sanctions were issued against his company, Green Label Property Investments Ltd.

In another District Court case, Mr. Godart was ordered to pay five tenants €51,000 over an illegal eviction from a property in Windsor Terrace, Fairview.

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