COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, November 08, 2021
QUESTION NO 6.
QUESTION: Councillor David McManus
To ask the Chief Executive the number of housing rent accounts in arrears currently and the number of these accounts in arrears more than five years, and if a statement can be made?
REPLY:
There are currently 3,958 Housing rent accounts in arrears, 52 of these accounts are in arrears more than five years.
The Council’s Debt Management Unit take a very compassionate approach to tenants who have found themselves accruing housing rent arrears and have been endeavouring to engage with tenants in rent arrears through several means, including:
- Corresponding with tenants concerning their arrears
- “Face to face” contact with our Housing Inspectors to assist tenants to understand their arrears situation
- Discussing various payment options to address the arrears within a reasonable time period
- Agreeing sustainable debt management plans to resolve the arrears issue.
During the period of the pandemic, in line with Government policy, the Debt Management Unit has not engaged in any legal action for the recovery of dwellings. The Debt Management Unit continues to engage with tenants with arrears to assist in resolving their arrears.
The Council recognises the challenges that some tenants have faced during the period of the pandemic and are sympathetic to their circumstances. Some tenants have dealt with income reductions and these tenants require a rent re-assessment to determine the appropriate rent payable for their income. Once re-assessments have been complete, the Debt Management Unit will once again engage with these tenants to put in place a sustainable debt management plan.
The focus of the Debt Management Unit is to engage with tenants and offer constructive and sustainable plans to address their arrears. It is only as a last resort that the Council will seek a legal solution to an arrears problem.