Council tenants in Meath charged higher rents? – Hannigan.
Issued : Friday 12 March, 2010
Local authority tenants in Meath appear to be paying higher rents than their counterparts in counties Louth and Fingal, according to figures seen by Senator Dominic Hannigan.
The East Meath Senator wants to know why this is the case.
“Having been contacted by many tenants worried about paying their rent, my office did a small comparative study.* (attached) We found that on an income of €253.99 per week, a local authority tenant will pay a differential rent of €51.49 in Meath. But in Fingal and Louth the same tenant would only be charged rent of €27.93. We need to know why this is happening,” said Senator Hannigan.
In the Oireachtas this week Senator Hannigan questioned Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Michael Finneran on the issue. Hannigan asked what guidelines, if any, the Government has issued to local authorities on the setting of rents.
“The Minister said rent schemes are the responsibility of local authorities as part of their housing management function. However he also said he intends making regulations later this year to more clearly set out what matters may be included in a local rents scheme,” said Hannigan.
“This is good news because clarity on this issue is certainly needed. Local authority tenants must have a rent assessment system which they can clearly see is both fair and equitable,” he added.
The Labour Senator said he hoped any new regulations will take into account the difficulties faced by low paid workers and those with disabilities.
“All sectors of the economy are suffering in this downturn but this does not mean councils can raise cash by seeking to raise the rents of those who can least afford it,” he said.
