COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2007

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor J. Lahart

That the Manager outline Council's attitude and approach to:
- repairs and improvements carried out privately to Local Authority Homes

- specifcally with regard to reimbursement or deduction from price on purchase.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council maintains its houses to a very high standard.

Ongoing programmes including house refurbishment , re-let repairs , central heating installation , rewiring , window replacements , cyclical repairs and maintenance all contribute to raising the quality and standard of Council housing.

Notwithstanding the above tenants may with the prior approval of the Council carry out at their own expense improvements to their homes.

In so doing they are advised that any such improvements become the property of the Council and cannot be removed in the event of their leaving their home.

The position is set out in the Council's Tenancy Agreement signed by all tenants when allocated their home.

Section 13 states inter alia '.......... all constructions , erections and so forth authorised by the Council..... become landlords fixtures , that is to say , they become the Council's property and are not removable by the Tenant ...... nor is any compensation allowable in respect of them '

However in circumstances where a tenant wishes to purchase his or her home the house is valued by the Council's Valuer and the proposed valuation arrived at reflects significant improvements made to the house by the tenants on the basis that the improvements have added value to the house e.g provision of an extension.

It is important to note that the value of the improvements are NOT included in the sale price recommended by the Council's Sales Section.

In other words the tenant benefits from the improvements provided at his or her own expense.