Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 December 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government

Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Sean O'Connor:

Our void rate is around 3% but with the turnover this year of 1,900-plus properties that is a lot of empties. Our average turnaround time is around seven weeks. There is an issue around receiving nominations, which I think is Garda check-driven so anything which could be done to reduce that would be great. Our rent arrears are very similar to others and our current rate is approximately 2.7%. The differential rent scheme is very progressive and based on people's ability to pay. We operate, like many here, in every county in Ireland. We operate multiple differential rent schemes when we are charging people. Incidentally, our average rent is €63 per week, so of course it does not matter whether one lives in a five-bedroom house, a studio or an apartment, as one's rent is based on ability to pay. The same approach is taken if people get into difficulty with rent arrears. We all have hardship policies to deal with that. The eviction rate is very low. I think this year we evicted one household for non-payment of rent, two years with no communication, contact, or payment of rent. I am very glad that a national differential scheme is in the programme because it is urgently required. It does not make sense that someone in Leitrim could be paying less than someone in Louth or Dublin city and that equation can be put anywhere. There are major differences. I will hand over to my colleague, Mr. Loughran, to answer the last question about part M and disabled access.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.