COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 13, 2020

QUESTION NO. 24

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into what options are open to people in regards to being a RAS Tenant and what supports are available from South Dublin County Council? Is the Council considering if persons on RAS be included on Council housing list so as not to lose time on housing list and to access CBL?

REPLY:

Under section 19 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 which came into effect on 1st April 2011, the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is deemed to be a social housing support, meaning that any housing applicants who had secured a RAS tenancy were considered to have their housing need met and were therefore no longer eligible to remain on the housing list.

Housing applicants who secured a RAS tenancy prior to the commencement of this legislation, and who still had a current housing application at that time were written to in 2011 advising them of the revised terms of RAS.  This communication also afforded all such applicants the opportunity to apply for inclusion on a newly established RAS Fixed Transfer List whereupon they would retain their housing applciation status together with their time on the housing list.

Applicants remaining on the RAS Fixed Transfer List have access to Choice Based Letting (CBL) subject to tenancy and rent checks and a number of such applicants have indeed been successful in obtaining alternative properties through CBL.

With regard to existing RAS tenants, where landlords have issued notice to terminate the tenancy (other than for reason of breach of tenancy by the tenant), the Council will include the tenants on a priority list, with other tenants also on notice, and we endeavour to identify vacant properties suitable to their needs, prior to the expiry date of the notice or any extended period granted by landlords.  Available properties across all housing tenures are considered in conjunction with having regard to other housing priority lists operated by the Council while RAS NTQ tenants may also be given access to CBL to source alternative accommodation where necessary.  It also remains open to such tenants to source alternative suitable accommodation in the private rental market where a landlord may be interested in participating in the RAS Scheme.