COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 08, 2020

QUESTION NO. 23

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into the recent Rent increases and if there is any proposals to increase Rent further in the current councils term and if so by how much ?

REPLY:

The adoption of the 2020 Budget by the Elected Members included provision for a €3 weekly rent increase to all rent accounts as well as a refinement of the older persons rent subsidy to include households solely comprising of older persons in receipt of social welfare income only.

The €3 weekly rent increase was applied to all the differential rent charged for tenancies in Council rented dwellings as well as RAS and HAP properties from 1st February 2020 which has resulted in the weekly rent debit increasing by just over €32k.  The rent applied is determined by the South Dublin County Council Differential Rent Scheme whereby the weekly rent is calculated on the basis of 10% of the total household income, plus €3.

A review of rent accounts to revise eligibility for the amended older persons rental subsidy of €10 per week was due to take place in April with the implementation of the new integrated housing system.  In light of the current circumstances, this review is deferred along with the introduction of the new system but with a re-scheduled "go live" date for the integrated housing system in Q4 2020, our housing rents team will then apply the revised subsidy criteria to rent accounts, with appropriate measures to minimise impacts on poverty vulnerable households.

Members should also note that differential rents can be assessed either upwards or downwards in line with any changes in household income or the inclusion/removal of people in the household and that the onus is on tenants to notify the Council of any changes in household income.  In this regard a small number of tenants have had their rents re-assessed in the context of COVID-19 income reductions to date.