Krunoslav Kadlec from Jastrebarsko rented his apartment to a family of seven for two years, but faced material damage after they moved out. He claims the tenants left damaged furniture, destroyed parts of the kitchen and bathroom, and rooms that will require extensive renovation.
The family moved into the apartment in autumn 2024. According to the landlord, problems began approximately eight months ago when payments for rent and utility costs stopped arriving. Kadlec stated that he cut off the electricity to the tenants at one point.
In the living room, a sofa set was damaged by cigarette burns. The kitchen, which he had renovated two years prior, suffered numerous damages – the hob was broken, the oven was damaged, part of the furniture was torn off the wall, and chairs were broken. In the bathroom, the shower curtain was torn, and the toilet seat was missing. "I assumed it was bad, but not that bad," Kadlec said. He believes extensive repairs will be necessary before the apartment can be rented out again.
Kadlec initiated court proceedings for the eviction of the tenants in June. An eviction order was issued at the end of September, but the family reportedly refused to collect the court decision. The family eventually voluntarily left the apartment.
The landlord highlights that he previously invested around 25,000 euros in furnishing the apartment. He estimates the current repair costs at approximately 1,500 euros if he does most of the work himself, while hiring a craftsman could increase the amount to 3,000 to 4,000 euros. He attempted to seek police assistance but was himself fined, he claims. The reason was the unregistered residence or domicile of the tenants, for which the property owner was also held responsible, according to the police interpretation.
Lawyer Martin Sherri explained that Kadlec can seek compensation for the damage incurred, as well as lost earnings for the period during which the apartment cannot be rented, through court proceedings. He can also file a criminal report for property damage. Sherri warns that when renting out properties, it is important to document their condition during handover and to provide for appropriate security measures in the contract, such as a promissory note or bank guarantee. "They must pay the most attention to determining the condition of the apartment during handover and requesting some form of guarantee when signing the contract, for example a promissory note or bank guarantee," Sherri explained.
