COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 09, 2015

QUESTION NO. 28

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on council rents for 2014, this should include a breakdown of rents by each SDCC area? The breakdown of various payment brackets?  Also include rent owed in each area?  The last time there was a rent increase and how much it was?  Where does the council rent go in terms of Budget?  What is the formula for rents in SDCC? Is it a percentage of income? In that case, how can the council look for increase?

REPLY:

The total amount of rent receipts for 2014 in relation to housing owned by the Council was €19,025,261. The amount collected per Local Electoral Area is shown below,

Clondalkin  €6,679,695, Lucan €690,247, Rathfarnham €1,386,498 Tallaght Central €1,481,260 Tallaght South €8,499,917 Templeogue-Terenure €287,640

The outstanding balance due to the Council at the end of 2014 was €7,124,479. The amounts due by Local Electoral Area are as follows,

Clondalkin €2,528,452, Lucan €348,796, Rathfarnham €452,167, Tallaght Central €354,698, Tallaght South €3,380,344

Templeogue-Terenure €60,020

The current South Dublin County Council Differential Rent Scheme is in place since 2009. The weekly rent is calculated on the basis of 10% of the total household income, plus €1. The rent can increase, or reduce, in line with any changes in household income. The onus is on the tenant to keep the Council notified as to any changes in household income. The average rent charged by the Council is €41.92 per week. The highest rent charged is €201.90 per week.

The rental income due to the Council will enable the Housing Department to complete its Annual Service Plan for 2015. This includes the provision of homeless services, maintenance of the housing stock, estate management as well as allowing the Council to carry out planned maintenance works such as window replacement programmes and boiler maintenance as well as electrical repairs, for example. This income allows us to maintain our housing stock to the highest standards possible.

A National Differential Rent Scheme, for all Local Authorities, has been indicated by Government for commencement in 2015, but as yet no regulations have been received regarding its implementation date.