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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/FONTHILL AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

QUESTION NO. 31

QUESTION: Councillor Shane Moynihan

To ask the Chief Executive for the average amount of time taken for relet works undertaken on Council houses in the Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill electoral areas, and a description of the nature of these works. 

REPLY:

Examination of the current vacancies indicates that the properties are on average vacant for 15 weeks.

Before reletting any vacant properties, the Council carries out renovation works to them where necessary to bring them up to letting standard, but the amount of work depends on the condition of the individual unit. 

Following inspection by staff, the units determined to be in good condition have an electrical and mechanical inspection for health and safety to ensure all systems are working and in compliance with the regulations. The property is subject to a general clean up and redecoration where required.  There is usually a short turnaround time on these units.

The majority of houses require more renovation work.  This work could include windows and door replacement, kitchen replacement, bathroom upgrade, upgrading of heating, internal and external repairs including painting and upgrading the woodwork where required. The aim would be to bring properties to a common quality standard.  The policy of the housing maintenance department is to repair rather than replace but this is not always cost effective. 

The maintenance works required at each property are variable and whilst some properties can be turned around in a shorter timeframe others require the additional services of external parties such as utility providers to energise the property or to provide energy supply from existing networks in the area.

Housing maintenance work with the Allocations section to identify the proposed tenants for the refurbished property so as to reduce vacancy periods to a minimum following completion of works.