COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 08, 2023

QUESTION NO. 13

QUESTION: Councillor Mark Lynch

To ask the Chief Executive to report on the implementation of the renters safety net for households at risk of eviction due to the sale of their home.

REPLY:

Staff in the Housing Department are working to progress the acquistion of 'tenant-in-situ' properties, prioritising acquisitions of properties where the tenancy is subject to a valid Notice of Termination which is due to expire or has passed.

We are conscious that households may have received a notice of termination from their landlord and may be unsure about what to do.  Any household who has received a notice of termination and who has no alternative accommodation can contact us and our immediate response will be to support households to try to prevent homelessness.

Where a person or household is eligible for social housing:
We will assess the availability of social housing properties, provide advice on applying for Choice Based Lettings (where available), or advise the person or household on the level of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) they may be eligible to receive.

In some cases, we will assess if the property in which the tenant currently resides is suitable for acquisition if it is being offered for sale and the owner is interested in selling to the local authority. In prioritising properties for acquisition, consideration will be given to aspects such as cost and value, condition of the property, size and suitability for tenants. If there are social housing units available via the local authority or an Approved Housing Body, allocation to these will also be considered.

Where a person or household is not eligible for social housing:
We can assess and refer households for the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ scheme managed by the Housing Agency and provide advice or direct to appropriate services.

The Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ scheme is available for tenants who are not eligible for social housing and are at risk of homelessness. Local authorities are a first point of contact for this scheme, but it is managed by the Housing Agency. Under the scheme the Housing Agency can purchase a property and rent it to the tenant. Local authorities will undertake an initial assessment of the tenant’s circumstances and refer details to the Housing Agency for consideration, where the tenant is at risk of homelessness and the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ scheme applies. 

Where a tenant wishes to purchase their home, local authorities can advise and support on the Local Authority Home Loan scheme. We are aware that the Government is examining implementing a ‘right of first refusal’ for tenants to purchase their homes, as well as expanding the First Home shared equity scheme. SDCC will be able to provide more information on these when available.

Households are advised that the provision of emergency accommodation will be a last resort only where no other appropriate alternative can be identified. Households in emergency accommodation will be supported to access more permanent accommodation.

We have assigned additional resources to with notice of termination queries and cases as quickly as possible, having regard for available supports but affected tenanrts may also wish to contact the Residential Tenancies Board, Threshold or other tenant support services for support and advice on tenant rights.

Tenants that have been served a valid Notice of Terminatiion and who are aware that their landlord is selling the property should ask the landlord to contact SDCC by email at eoi@sdublincoco.ie to discuss options around the possible acquisition of the property by the Council.