Apartments on former council land being let at ‘extortionate’ rents, say local reps

Several local representatives have blasted the ‘extortionate’ rents being charged at a new development in Clondalkin.

The new apartments at Kilcarbery Grange are being advertised on daft.ie with rents ranging from €1800 to €2700 per month.

The site of the development was in the ownership of South Dublin County Council until 2018 when the lands were sold by a majority of councillors to a private developer in return for 30% social housing.

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny questioned the wisdom of the local council’s decision.

“It’s outrageous to see apartments that are built on what used to be public land being rented out at extortionate rents,” he said.

“I don’t know anyone who can afford to pay €2700 for a 3-bed family home.

“This land could have been used to provide much needed social and affordable housing and instead it’s being used by private companies to profiteer out of the misery of the tenants.

“People Before Profit opposed the sell-off of this land and voted against it in the council.”

Darragh Adelaide, People Before Profit representative for Clondalkin added:

“I live very near this development and I’m one of thousands of young people stuck living with my parents because of the housing crisis.

“There’s no way that I could afford to pay €1800 for a 1 bed apartment.

“I’m disgusted that this public land is being used to bleed tenants dry.”