COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 08, 2021

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor T. Costello

To ask the Chief Executive how many complaints have been received 2019 2020 & 2021 ytd in relation to unoccupied privately owned homes that have fallen into a state of disrepair and thus having a negative affect on the neighbourhood - for example damage to homes either side / rodent activity / antisocial behaviour - what is the general course of action taken.

REPLY:

Since 2019, 125 properties have been reported as potentially vacant in the County, either through http://vacanthome.ie or directly to the Council, as per the table below:

Status 2019 2020 2021 Total
Being Investigated 22 15 20 57
Vacant 5 2 6 13
Occupied 45 8 2 55
Total 72 25 28 125

All properties reported are inspected and checks are undertaken through land registry and various other sources to establish ownership.  Upon investigation and where ownership is established, many properties reported as vacant actually either have occupiers, are currently in the process of being sold/renovated or are subject to probate/receivership processes before occupancy is resumed. 57 properties are subject of ongoing investigation to monitor these such processes.

The status of each property under investigation is reviewed on an ongoing basis with owners encouraged to engage with the Council and find solutions for any genuinely vacant properties but the Council does also has a range of legislative powers available to deal with under-utilised and derelict properties including under legislation pertaining to compulsory purchase and derelict sites.  In recent years, six properties have been vested by the Council under derelict sites legislation and this option will continue to be considered if alternative solutions are not arrived at to address the vacancy, including through initiatives such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme and the Buy and Renew Scheme as well as leasing, HAP and RAS that are explored with owners.