After receiving the keys to a prestigious home in the center of Bratislava, the new resident paid only for the first months, then turned someone else's property into his own free shelter. Such scenarios are not new for local courts, but the case of serial tenant Volodymyr B. impresses with the scale of cynicism and the helplessness of the legal system.
When owners try to reclaim property legally, the police often appear at the door — but not to help deal with the offender. Thanks to a paper agreement in hand, the scammer successfully manipulates law enforcement, staying in profit.
Chronicle of a scam lasting for years
The story of this “billionaire” has been going on for more than ten years. At one time, the man rented a luxury home near Bratislava Castle pretending to be a wealthy client and managed to block his eviction for a whole 14 years.
When court proceedings and eviction with the participation of executors finally ended, the hero did not stop. He found a new victim in the capital, stopped paying after just a few months, changed the locks on his own, and blocked access to the property for the owners. Even during the court process and the imposition of a suspended sentence for fraud, the scheme continued to work autonomously.
Why the police side with the offender
The main trap of Slovak legislation lies in the excessive protection of tenants' rights. The Civil Code is arranged so that the owner has no right to forcibly evict a person or change locks — even if the tenant owes rent for a year.
If the owner dares to take forceful action, the tenant calls the police. Law enforcement records the existence of the contract and considers the attempt to enter one’s own apartment as a violation of current possession of the housing. As a result, owners are left with debts, ruined nerves, and piles of papers for courts that consider cases for years.
How to protect yourself from such risks
For property owners in Slovakia, such stories serve as a harsh reminder to carefully check candidates before signing any papers. Professional manipulators skillfully use gaps in the laws, so lawyers advise following several rules:
Thorough screening. Check potential tenants through open debtor registries and court decisions before handing over the keys.
Short-term contracts. Signing rental agreements for a limited term (for example, one year with the possibility of extension) greatly simplifies the procedure for legally ending the relationship.
Notarial certification. Additional clauses in the contract about immediate vacating of the premises in case of late payment, notarized, help to involve executors faster.
More about this high-profile case and methods to fight dishonest tenants is told in the TVnoviny.sk material. Until lawmakers change the balance of rights between landlords and tenants, owners have to rely solely on maximum caution.
