COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, June 18, 2012

QUESTION NO. 13

QUESTION: Councillor M. Corr

"To ask the Manager to indicate the average turnaround time for vacant houses in the RAPID areas of Tallaght, to outline what are the most significant issues to delay this process and how he intends to overcome this?"

REPLY:

The average relet time for vacant houses within the Rapid designated area in the Tallaght area for up to May 2012 was 17 weeks, compared to 12 county wide.  The main reason which determine length of relet time is the amount of works necessary and these are determined by the age and the condition of the house at time of surrender.  Vandalism is also a large delaying factor.  In a number of incidents the copper cylinders have been stolen and the house flooded which results in additional work and expense.   Another type of vandalism experienced regularly is the burning of bins and causing damage to the ESB and Gas supplies.

In an effort to reduce the amount of works needed on a house a strict inspection procedure has recently been introduced for tenants transferring to another Council house whereby the tenant/s are informed in their transfer application as to what works are required to be carried out in their house before the transfer can proceed.  In the event that the inspector finds that these works have not been undertaken then the transfer will not be permitted to proceed.  This procedure should lead to houses being surrendered in a condition that will require minimal relet works and resulting in a quicker turnaround.

In cases where a tenant has surrendered a house in what is considered to be an unacceptable condition a costing will be obtained on the relevant works which the tenant is responsible for.  An invoice will issue to the tenant at their forwarding address in order to recoup these costs.  These costs will also be noted on the tenants' file and full recoupment will be sought before the tenant will be considered for re-housing by the Council.