Controversial landlord Marc Godart has emerged as one of the most active hosts on Airbnb in Dublin, despite a ban on short-term letting by the city council. That is according to an analysis of postings of short-term lettings on the site by RTÉ Investigates.
A property managed by the Luxembourg national previously featured in a 2020 RTÉ broadcast. Undercover researchers captured footage showing up to 12 people living in a flat with only one toilet.
In recent weeks, RTÉ Investigates has been examining his role in short-term lettings in the city.
It analysed a database of Quarter 1 2023 listings on Airbnb for links to Mr Godart and his companies.
More than 100 adverts for short-term lets were linked to him for March alone. One of his agents had 76 listings, making this agent the most active host in the city.
Dublin property owners must secure permission to provide short-term or holiday lettings under legislation introduced in July 2019.
As part of our investigation, researchers responded to an advert on Airbnb and were directed to a bed above a pub in Dublin 10. There were 17 beds in one apartment, including four in one room. The property turned out to be the business address used by Mr Godart.
Mr Godart has also been advertising accommodation through his agents in two locations which were converted from offices, on Beaver Street and Railway Street in Dublin 1.
RTÉ Investigates reported concerns related to the properties to Dublin City Council. The council told RTÉ that it is investigating the alleged change of use of these properties from commercial to residential.
It also said that other properties where short-term lettings were advertised will be investigated.
Listings linked to Mr Godart related to a variety of properties in Inchicore, Rialto, Capel Street and the north inner city.
In April, the council issued enforcement proceedings directing one of his companies to cease unauthourised short-term letting in a property in Rialto.
Former tenants of Reuben House told RTÉ they were evicted last August when Mr Godart said he intended to sell the property. They found their rooms listed on Airbnb soon after.
Former tenant Francesca Gubellini and her flat mate said they arrived home on August 24 to find themselves unable to get into their apartment. They were met by representatives of Mr Godart.
"We tried to reason with them that we want to go in," Ms Gubellini told RTÉ Investigates.
"I tried two or three times to put the [access] code in and it wasn't working. They put themselves in front of the door and they said the code has changed."
All their belongings had been moved to a storage depot without their knowledge or consent, she said.
Lizet Pena-Herrera also said she had her belongings removed from her home by representatives of Mr Godart at an earlier date.
During the pandemic, she raised a complaint about overcrowding in the building where she lived at Vintage Court on Cork Street in Dublin 8.
Days later she received an eviction notice from Green Label Short Lets Ltd, where Mr Godart is listed as a director.
"Mr Godart and his letting agent found out it was me reporting the issue, and suddenly I got my eviction notice."
Ms Pena-Herrera had nowhere to stay and was unable to access personal items, as they had been sent to a storage facility.
In December 2022, the Residential Tenancies Board found that Green Label Short Lets Ltd terminated her stay as a punishment for making the report. It ordered the company to pay Ms Pena-Herrera €15,000 in compensation.
The landlord simply ignored the order. This meant Ms Pena-Herrera had to go to court to attempt to have it enforced.
"It's so painful. It’s so difficult. I didn’t deserve this," she said, speaking about the process outside the court.
"I paid my rent, I was a good tenant, I was trying to keep the place in proper condition, and just because I raised my concern about the overcrowding, the whole situation happened."
A number of the listings linked with Mr Godart described the rooms as 'mixed dorms’ and noted in some cases there were no smoke alarms.
"There's exasperation and huge frustration that a single individual could be behind so many short-term lets," Labour Party councillor for the South West Inner City Darragh Moriarty told RTÉ Investigates.
One of the listings linked to Mr Godart that our reporters visited had 35 available beds spread across four flats above a restaurant.
Marc Godart was not named on this listing, but the address and agent are linked to companies of which he is a secretary.
RTÉ Investigates put several questions to Marc Godart in connection with this story. He did not respond.
Last year, Mr Godart’s company paid him €298,000 in fees. He has yet to pay compensation awarded by the RTB to his former tenants Lizet Pena-Herrera and Francesca Gubellini.
"He hasn't replied, he hasn't paid nothing. It is frustrating because we are still carrying this on," Ms Gubellini said.
In visits to three locations following reports to the council by RTÉ, officials found holidaymakers staying in the properties having made bookings via Airbnb.
The council investigations are ongoing.
In a statement, Airbnb said: "Airbnb takes housing and safety concerns seriously, and where we are alerted by local authorities to a listing in breach of rules, we will take action."
An RTÉ Investigates report on Mr Godart’s activity as a landlord broadcasts on Prime Time on Thursday June 8 at 9.35pm.
