Top Landlord stories from France.

Landowner Fined After Squatters Illegally Tap Electricity for Eight Years

In a curious case of land occupation turning sour, a landlord in north-east France has been fined €1,000 for inadvertently enabling squatters to siphon electricity illegally from a nearby power station. Jhonny, 51, initially purchased the plot of land with aspirations of erecting a family home. However, after encountering bureaucratic hurdles preventing planning permission, he and his family relocated, leaving the land dormant. Enter a group of squatters, who set up camp with caravans on the land in Buchères, Aube. 

Over the span of eight years, from 2015 to 2023, they not only occupied the space but also dug an unauthorised well for water and tapped into nearby electricity without consent.

The situation escalated when Enedis, responsible for managing France’s electrical grid, estimated that the squatters pilfered around €10,000 worth of electricity and caused disruptions to the supply chain. Despite Enedis' attempts to notify Jhonny of the illegal activities, he remained unresponsive to their letters. During the court proceedings, the public prosecutor argued that Jhonny was well aware of the situation but chose not to intervene. 

Jhonny, acknowledging his neglect, expressed regret for not addressing the issue promptly and offered to relinquish the land for free to someone closer who could manage it more effectively. 

While acquitted of complicity with the squatters, Jhonny was fined €1,000, with €500 of the penalty suspended. The ruling underscores the importance of landowners actively monitoring and addressing unauthorised occupation to avoid legal ramifications.

Family Evicted After Six Years of Squatting: French High Court Overturns Extension

A family has been evicted from a flat after spending six years squatting in it, following the Conseil d’État's decision to overturn a previous ruling extending the eviction deadline. 

The squatters, including a man, his son, a woman, and at least one other child, occupied the flat for an extended period. 

Initially, the administrative court in Grenoble had postponed the eviction, citing concerns about rehousing the squatters and children during winter. 

However, the Conseil d’État intervened, noting the man's stable income of €6,000 per month from employment in Switzerland, deeming him capable of securing alternative accommodation for his son. 

Located in Annemasse, a commuter town popular among Swiss workers, the co-owned building had dealt with squatters in other properties. Despite this, it took six years for the occupants of this particular flat to be evicted, partly due to the presence of children. Residents expressed relief at the eviction, with one describing it as a "huge relief." The police confirmed the squatters vacated the premises before the deadline, emphasising the importance of respecting their dignity and that of others involved. 

While relieved, property owners in the complex hope that social services will find suitable rehousing solutions for the children. The case highlights the complexities surrounding squatting and the challenges of balancing legal considerations with humanitarian concerns.

Landlord Arrested for Hiring Person to Intimidate Tenants Amid Rent Dispute in Nice

A landlord in Nice found himself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly paying someone €100 to intimidate his tenants following a disagreement over rent payments. Richard Stornello, purportedly facing financial troubles, rented out a 60m² flat on the prestigious Promenade des Anglais for €2,000 per month in February 2024.

Reportedly, Stornello requested the payment in cash, casting doubt on whether any official rental agreement was formalised. 

However, the tenants refused to pay the demanded rent and subsequently changed the locks upon moving in. 

In a disturbing turn of events, the frustrated landlord resorted to paying an individual €100 to scare the tenants, even threatening to harm the wife of the main tenant. Promptly calling the police, the tenants saw Stornello arrested and detained for two days before his release. 

Currently under judicial supervision, Stornello is prohibited from approaching his property or communicating with the tenants. Expressing his frustration, Stornello recounted being told by the police that he was essentially a guest in his own home. 

Mayor Christian Estrosi pledged to investigate the matter after Stornello sought assistance from the mayor's office. 

Questioning the delayed eviction process, Estrosi pondered whether it was acceptable for squatters to occupy residences without swift intervention. The incident sheds light on the challenges faced by landlords and tenants alike in navigating rent disputes, while also highlighting the broader issue of squatter-related problems in the coastal city of Nice.