COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, January 26, 2015

MOTION NO.5.

MOTION: Councillor C. King

That this Committee calls on the Chief Executive Officer to ensure every resource possible is used including collaborating with other agencies to ensure those that have been allocated homes through SDCC's scheme of lettings priorities are actually residing in those homes and that illegal subletting is not taking place or being just left idle while living elsewhere particularly given the Housing crisis we have at present. With this in mind can the Chief Executive Officer commit to providing additional resources into ascertaining whether or not the tenants at ( details provided),   are residing there or not and if not works as efficiently as possible to allocate them to new families in need".

REPORT:

The Councils Estate Management Section carry out an allocation check on all new tenancies.  This entails visiting the house in question with a copy of the Tenancy Agreement, with attached photographs of new tenants to confirm that the tenant has actually moved in  and also to confirm that the person who has signed the  tenancy agreement is in fact the person in situ.    For longer term, existing tenancies, the Estate Management team pay particular attention to any houses that they feel are not being occupied on a full time basis.  They work in conjunction with the other Agencies in so far as possible, within the constraints of the Data Protection Acts.   The Council are  also dependent on the assistance of the residents in the area coming forward with relevant information in regard to the non occupation of houses.

With regard to the specific houses mentioned  the following is the position

The house in Ard Mor is well known and we are of the opinion that the tenant is not residing there.    The Councils Estate Management team have carried out numerous inspections on this tenancy and we are confident that our case will stand up in Court and we will recover possession of the house.  It should be noted that the tenant in question has vehemently denied that she is not in full time occupation of her house and accordingly, we have no option but to pursue the legal route, which unfortunately takes some considerable time.  This case is currently with our Law Department awaiting court date for a repossession hearing.  

With regard to the 1st property at Donamore, this is the first notification we have with regard to it.  The Estate Management Officers called on 16th January last and spoke with the tenant who advised that her ESB had been disconnected and she had to move in with family but that she was now back in situ in her tenancy. However, there appeared to be no one in occupation during the course of a a follow up check at 7.30am on Thursday 22nd January.  Accordingly, this will continue to be monitored over the coming weeks to see if it is occupied in accordance with the tenancy agreement.

The other house at Donamore has been under observation for some time.  The Estate Management Officers called on 16th January last and spoke with the tenant who maintains that he is helping out with a sick relative from time to time. However, there was no response when the officers carried out a follow up check at 7.30am on Thursday 22nd January.  This house continues to be monitored.

Finally, in relation to the house in Kiltalown this is the first notification we have with regard to this.  The Estate Officers called up on 20th January last and found the house to be vacant and vulnerable.  A decision was taken to secure the house immediately.  The tenant has since made contact and advised that due to a family bereavement, she moved in with her parents on a temporary basis.  We will be in contact with tenant next week advising her of her responsibilities under her Tenancy Agreement.