COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2012

QUESTION NO. 22

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager for a report on the extent of arrears of greater than 90 days amongst Mortgage Holders with loans from SDCC, and if she will outline the approach taken by the Council to work with and assist families who are in arrears?

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council has a policy of early intervention for all borrowers who fall into arrears.   

At the end of October 2012 13% of all South Dublin County Council’s loan accounts are in arrears greater than 3 months.  This figure reflects favourably with data available through the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government which indicates that nationally 28% of Local Authority mortgages are in arrears in excess of 3 months.

It is in the best interest of borrowers to work closely with the Council on the matter of mortgage arrears.  In instances where borrowers continually do not make payments on their account; or continually break agreed arrangements; or do not co-operate with the Council, legal proceedings will be commenced.  This is necessary in order to balance the need for a sympathetic approach to the borrower and the need to safeguard the financial position of the Council.

South Dublin County Council has a dedicated mortgage arrears section who are committed to working with borrowers experiencing problems with their repayments. Each case is dealt with on an individual basis.  Our staff discuss borrowers' circumstances and assess their financial ability in order to reach arrangement on payments that are suitable to both the  borrower and the Council.

Since 1st October 2012 the Council (and all Local Authorities) operates under the prescribed Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) in accordance with guidelines as issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.  This process comprises of the following steps: