COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/FONTHILL AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

MOTION NO. 18

MOTION: Councillor M. Ward

There are a number of vacant private homes within this LEA that are in the hands of receivers. These homes have been damaged and left to fall into disrepair, causing concern for other residents. That the Chief Executive provide a report for discussion on what the Councils responsibilities are and how best to return these empty house back into much needed homes?

REPORT:

In accordance with the National Vacant Housing Re-use Strategy 2018- 2021, each local authority has a Vacant Homes Officer that acts as central advisory point for property owners in terms of providing advice, assistance and information on these schemes which are available to bring properties back to use. There are several initiatives in place with the aim of encouraging and enabling privately owned vacant homes to be brought back into use whether to the social housing or private rented market these include:

In addition the Housing Agency is engaging with banks, financial institutions and investors to purchase suitable units for social housing use.

The aim in the first instance would be to encourage property owners to engage with the Council and find solutions for the vacant home units without having to resort to the Compulsory Purchase process. However Local Authorities do have a range of legislative powers available to deal with under- utilised and derelict properties for example through the Compulsory Purchase Powers and Derelict Sites Legislation.

South Dublin County Council would ask that vacant properties be reported via the website http://vacanthome.ie for investigation.