According to newly released figures from South Dublin County Council, 168 housing tenants are in arrears of between €10,000 and €20,000, with 22 tenancies owing over €20,000.
Fine Gael group leader David McManus says that his questions to Council management revealed that 998 tenants are currently facing legal action which may include repossession of the property if they do not ‘discharge their arrears’.
The June finance report presented to Councillors show that net arrears stood at €9.16 million or €11.54 million, when accounts in credit are excluded.
The average rent charged under the Council’s Differential Rent Scheme in March 2022 was €55.24 per week compared to €47.79 in March 2019.
“We charge some of the lowest council rents nationwide, yet we have the highest level of arrears, which is alarming,” Councillor McManus said in reaction to the figures.
“The knock-on effect is boarded up, vacant council houses during a housing crisis as this rent is needed to refurbish properties.
“We now have approximately 56% of all tenants in some level of arrears.
“Council management have failed to resolve the arrears for some time now as between 2014 and 2018, the arrears increased from €7.8 million to €8.1 million.
“This is serious as it has a knock-on effect on our ability to re-invest in our 10,000 council homes and respond to maintenance requests by tenants.
“It’s completely unfair for those tenants paying their rent but left waiting for repairs to their home.”
“We have 190 tenancies owing over €10,000. Unfortunately, if people don’t address their arrears, it’s a breach of the tenancy agreement.
“We shouldn’t be spending money on solicitors but we have no option but to seek possession of the property and offer the property to other tenants.
“Our council rents are calculated at 10% of weekly household income with an average rent of €55 per week.
“So during COVID-19, if a person went from earning €500 to then receiving the €350 PUP payment, their rent would be reduced from €50 to €35 per week which is very fair and progressive.
“Council management will always show compassion when engaging with genuine tenants in difficulty but tenants must engage or else face legal action.
“Approved housing bodies (AHBs) such as Clúid or Respond Housing – they manage thousands of social housing tenancies nationwide and their arrears are no more than 4% of total rental income.
“In South Dublin County Council, the most recent figure for net arrears is €9.16 million which is around 30% of our total billed rental income.”