Estate Management – Housing Department

Our Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy applies to all local authority tenants. Anti-social behaviour is defined under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and includes drug-related activity, violence, intimidation, harassment, threats, serious obstruction, persistent nuisance, and damage to property.

We adopt a progressive approach to addressing anti-social behaviour. Complaints are investigated in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate, and every effort is made to identify those responsible. Where a tenant or household member is found to be involved, a range of interventions may be initiated, including interviews, written warnings and ongoing monitoring. Warnings remain active for a period of 12 months, and further breaches during this period may result in escalation to legal proceedings, including applications for exclusion or possession orders.

Since June 2024, five repossession orders have been granted under Section 12 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 for serious breaches of tenancy arising from anti-social behaviour. The breakdown by Local Electoral Area is as follows:

• Tallaght South: 4
• Tallaght Central: 1

Debt Management Unit – Finance Department

The Debt Management Unit (DMU) works proactively with tenants experiencing rent arrears and financial difficulties. The primary objective is to sustain tenancies through early intervention, engagement and the agreement of affordable repayment arrangements. These measures regularly result in a reduction of arrears and the avoidance of legal action.

Where tenants do not engage with the Council's efforts to resolve arrears, cases may progress through a formal legal process. Since June 2024, the DMU has issued 207 Tenancy Warning Letters to tenants who failed to engage in addressing their rent arrears.

As a result of continued engagement by the DMU, 62 tenancies have either reduced or fully cleared their arrears through repayment arrangements or full settlement. A further 139 cases remain under active management and monitoring, with legal proceedings ongoing where necessary.

Regrettably, six tenancies have been terminated since June 2024 due to persistent non-engagement and escalating rent arrears. The breakdown by Local Electoral Area is as follows:

• Tallaght South: 3
• Firhouse–Bohernabreena: 1
• Clondalkin: 1
• Palmerstown–Fonthill: 1

While the termination of a tenancy is always a matter of last resort, the Council has a responsibility to enforce tenancy conditions and safeguard the effective management of its housing stock. Every effort is made to support tenants in maintaining their tenancy through early intervention, engagement and appropriate supports.