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LAST YEAR, SOCIAL housing tenants paid almost €351 million to local authorities in rent.
According to Mary Hayes, administrative officer for Dublin City Council housing allocations, getting a local authority home is “not as easy as people think”.
And she said no one is simply handed a ‘free house’.
There is a strict set of criteria that must be met before a person can get on the (often years-long) waiting list in their area.
“It’s not a process of handing over houses for nothing. That would be crazy, particularly in the context of Dublin housing,” Hayes said.
In order to be eligible for social housing, a person must be able to demonstrate a genuine need.
If a person owns their own home, they are not eligible. A young person living with their parents also would not be considered but, for example, if they have children and are sharing their parents’ home with other siblings and their children, then they would be eligible.
There are exemptions when it comes to owning property if a couple is separated or divorced and the home cannot be sold because it is the children’s family home, or if a person is at risk of homelessness.
When it comes to income bands, they differ depending on the local authority. In Dublin, the net income threshold for a single person is €35,000 and the maximum threshold for a family of three adults and four children is €42,000.
In Co Cork, the single person income threshold is a net €30,000 and for a three-adult and four-child family it is €36,000.
In counties like Carlow, Monaghan and Westmeath, the single person threshold is a net income of €25,000 and for a three person and four child family it is €30,000.
Again, this amount can differ depending on both income and location in the country.
For Dublin City Council residents, rent is calculated as 15% of the principal earner’s weekly income which exceeds €32 if it’s a single person and €64 if it’s a couple.
After the principal earner is taken into account, it’s another 15% of the income of each subsidiary earner on top of that. Assessable income includes payment for employment or self-employment, any social welfare payments, training allowances and income from pensions.
Shift allowances, travel allowances, bonuses, commission and overtime are all included.
Child benefit, fuel allowance, scholarships and charity assistance are not included so rent cannot be based on those.
Last year, there were 24,000 Dublin City Council tenants paying more than €78 million in rent. On average, tenants paid €272 per month.
Tenants of Wexford County Council are charged €30 on income up to €171 and an extra €0.24 for every additional €1 after that.
In Co Cork, tenants are charged €15 a week on earnings up to €140 and then 20% of all additional assessable income on top of that, plus a further 3% of that total calculated rent.
So, for example, two adults on social welfare payments with two dependent children would pay €238 rent per month in Cork county.
Click here to check the total rent paid in your local authority in 2017.
All social housing tenants are expected to pay some level of rent. There are, as in the private sector, tenants who do not pay and who build up arrears. The total arrears countrywide at the end of last year was €73.6 million.
But that figure has to be viewed in context, as arrears are carried over from one year to the next. At the end of 2017, Dublin City Council’s arrears figure was €23.4 million but it had started 2017 with incoming arrears of €22.5 million.
Some councils have much lower arrears than the average – in Westmeath for example, there was a 97% rent collection rate in 2017. The council finished the year with €6.2 million in rent collected and €201,000 arrears.
Mary Hayes of Dublin City Council said rent arrears are an issue for local authorities but she said there are consequences for tenants.
“We don’t do maintenance and repair – unless it’s absolutely essential – if they have arrears… they can’t transfer unless there is an urgent medical need. So they are restricted from a lot of options if they have arrears.
We are pursuing people so there are risks of homelessness attached to failure to pay rent.
She said the council is trying to move as quickly as possible through the waiting list but she recognises some people have been waiting a long time.
“There were people who had been waiting 10 years on the list and they were just on the point of being knocked off because their income was creeping up, so we did have to balance things out and pay more attention to the general housing waiting list.”
Earlier this year the council made the decision to stop prioritising homeless people on the waiting list. Instead they are being encouraged to take up the Housing Assistance Payment.
Now Hayes said the local authority goes through the list in order, so people who have been waiting the longest are taken care of.
“We are trying to meet all the needs with a certain amount of stock.”
She said people can underestimate the importance of stable housing in people’s lives and how it can have a knock-on effect.
“Housing is critical and when it comes to homelessness I am a true believer in the housing first strategy. We are pouring money down the drain with health and addiction services if we don’t have stable housing. It is always money well spent.”
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No deposit to be paid? And rent less than 100 a week for a house..which might be paid from social welfare payments (not earned income) = free house.
@MerryLounyMcD: I remember over ten years ago working on a social housing renovation scheme and a mother telling her 18 year old daughter to go and get pregnant and apply for a social house for herself then.unreal
@MerryLounyMcD: Politicians income from taxes therefore income tax, vat, lpt and every other tax is paid by the tax payer on their behalf = freeloader.
@dick dastardly: Tell us the one about three bears DICK.
@Patabake Kennedy: it’s past your bedtime pet,go asleep now
@Denis McClean: I think you’re missing the point that politicians and all other public service workers who are paid from money collected through taxation are actually doing work in exchange for the wages..
It’s not free money if you’re working for it.
@Shane Corry: It’s free money if you contribute nothing in exchange and far too many make no contribution whatsoever to this economy, this country and this collective endeavor. The point is that Merrywhatever above thinks people can get houses for free in a country where politicians have guaranteed that nothing is free, unless you’re a politician.
@dick dastardly: lookit here, what makes the likes of you look down on people that were reared in the hardest of times and have paid rent for a property twice or three times the price that it would have cost to build and are still paying a more inflated rent for a house that they will never own.
@Denis McClean: Do does that make politicians, gardai, , fire fighter, nurses and other public sector workers partially self employed as they pay the same taxes (plus a little extra in prd) as everyone else?
@dick dastardly: Its unreal alright, because you made it up.
@Gerry Brennan: no that was the way to get a house when they were easily got . He’s spot on
@Patabake Kennedy: you’d have to live a looooooooong life to pay for a house 3 times over at €250 per month.
@MerryLounyMcD: People are eligible for social housing based on income thresholds etc.People are eligible for social welfare payments based on strict criteria including workers needing social welfare income supports& other workers on incomes up to €42,000.
It’s a fact of life that people can lose their jobs,people can become disabled or born with a disability,low income workers needing welfare supports,54%of workers earn €30,000& under,etc&people become elderly& eligible for pensions.
It’s makes much more sense that tenants themselves paying rents for social housing going back into the system rather than Government paying private landlords through HAP!HAP payments has doubled since last year and it’s estimated HAP payments will increase to €1B a year in a few years to private landlords!
@MerryLounyMcD: spot on absolute disgrace
and only have to work 20 hours a week as well sure no incentive to work full time at all while the rest of us mugs work proper hours and pay plenty of tax
@dick dastardly: Yeah,very ‘unreal’!
@MerryLounyMcD: Who needs vulture funds. varadkar. the banks. when we have someone like you to cheer on the greedfest. my god.
@MerryLounyMcD: Someone’s a green eyed monster!
@ObsidianShine: not green eyed but sweat filled eyes from working to pay for my (and lazy others) way in life.
@Sean Conway: your mixed up..you are cheering in the greedfest of the freeloaders and layabouts with huge ideas of self entitlement.
@MerryLounyMcD: The layabouts at the top have you thinking the way you do. educate yourself.
@Sean Conway: I don’t need to think or be told how to think…I work hard, I earn and I pay my way in life. I see others not working and having things handed to them, someone pays for this stuff…ME and others who work and pay taxes.
@dick dastardly: over 10 years ago she would get one. Now she wouldn’t
@MerryLounyMcD: what about people on disability or sick or pension or family income supplement. The number of people who can’t work far exceeds the number of people who won’t. I pay 600 a week in tax so obviously I’m pissed off with how much is taken off me. Blame the government who claim millions in expenses, pay no taxes on there drink while laughing at the Irish people, send millions out of the country, bail out bankers who ruined the country, corruption and trying to silence the people and the rest is what you should be angry at. Blaming the vulnerable in society is low. Especially when a very small proportion of your tax goes to them.
@MerryLounyMcD:Look at it this way, if you’re working full time then you life in general is better than someone on the dole and living in social housing. You should honestly focus your ire on something worthwhile like the government public sector money pit. Whinging about people sitting on the dole in their council gaf just makes you look like someone who hates their job.
If someone is paying €30-50 a week in an area such as Dublin where the average rent is now €400+ a week, a 90-95% discount then it’s as good as free really. Also really surprised at those arrears figures.. Even for something that accrues year-by-year, if some people are years behind or not paying at all they should be evicted.
Some of the biggest problems with social housing are related to this “home for life” idea that all the populist politicians fling around. There should be regular re-evaluations of circumstances and also ensuring those out of work who are able to work (exclude those with disabilities, some based on childcare, in work but in lower paying roles etc.) are making genuine attempts to re-enter the workforce (taking training, applying for roles etc.)
Stop selling social homes below cost, dropping the housing stock and if a person can afford to purchase a social house, even at a 50-60% discount, they probably shouldn’t be eligible to even have one. Also get rid of the somewhat easy / expected inheritence of social housing. If someone who has a social house’s kids apply for social housing they should have to go through the normal evaluation process and wait-time.
@Shane Corry: The selling of social housing to tenants was stopped around 2010/11. As far as I’m aware it has not been reintroduced.
@Tommy Roche: Looks like you’re right. As of 2016 the new scheme is that social tenants can purchase their house at a 40-60% discount but that discount has to be paid back to the local authority over a 25-30 year period.
I still think though they shouldn’t be selling any property below cost (if at all) even if they may eventually recoup the full amount. We need social housing stock now, not decades from now. Those who could afford a Dublin property on a mortgage with 40% discount for example, should be also able to afford a property with no discount on a mortgage in another county.
@Shane Corry: Effort is not rewarded in Ireland. After the last crash it was evident when you saw self employed people who paid massive tax and lost their business could not get assistance. People who never worked were better off. Thats why there are no houses now because the govt basically told all the tradesmen to leave the country. In England you can get welfare regardless of your job. Its a much fairer system.
@Shane Corry: it seems the best way to get some off social housing would be to sell it to them, otherwise you’d have to evict social tenants which would be very costly to administer. Plus aging houses cost a fortune to repair and renovate. Altogether it’s cheaper for the tax payer to let them buy at a discount and then recoup the discount.
Don’t upset the ‘free house’ brigade..! They can’t process that people pay rent..
@Bart Teeling: if the rent is paid from government benefits then its free though?
@The Guru: i don’t get why people simply can’t get their heads around that .it’s fairly straight forward .
@The Guru: Like politicians, who get paid from taxes but some/most contribute nothing or contribute negatively and so, should be a disgrace … but they’re not ,,, are they?
@The Guru: I wonder how many households in this country don’t avail of government money or aid in one form or other? If the family tree of boys like you was uprooted you mightn’t be so quick to point he finger.
@The Guru:
The rent for Hotels and B/B will cost the taxpayer much more if the family are evicted from their council house so what is your solution. A doorway, tent maybe.
@Darcy: they can, they just don’t want to.
Here I’m the ejitt working and sacrificing and paying nearly €1400 a month in a mortgage and it seems there are people who are not paying on average over €200 a month on rent and getting away with it!
People hark on about the bankers and apple….but Dublin city council are owed over 22 million in arrears. This is an issue, considering the average rent!!! This has really angered me!
@Blah blah: you overpaid for your house so everyone else should also just to make it fair??
Save your anger for a system that drives up the price of houses to make the books look good instead of blaming the poorest who can’t afford overpriced rent or houses.
@Blah blah: I am no fan of freeloaders but the reason you are paying so much is because you vote for parties that are corrupt, so I would be aiming your venom at them…..and do yourself a favor and stop voting FF and FG you might see a change then.
@john doe: his anger is well founded with the current Entitled Generation.
I knew families who deliberately declared themselves homeless in order to jump up the list. A few of them (that got a place) are currently in arrears, and ‘don’t care…’ it’s going to be a shock to them when they eventually get evicted for non payment of rent. And end up back on the ‘merry go round’ of homeless hubs and hotels…
I’m so glad they changed the system this year-the only families getting the places are the ones who waited years and stayed out there struggling…
Now I wish they stop allowing tenants to buy the places at a mark down rate – we need keep this stock in public ownership for the next generation… otherwise we will always have a homeless crisis to deal with.
@Blah blah: but you OWN your house! How can you compare yourself to someone who is renting?
Sorry for my ignorance but how can anyone who lives in a council house be in Arrears?
@Just Some Guy: because they know they won’t get evicted because the councilcan’t evict tenants so why would they pay?
@Just Some Guy:
It’s about time you apologized for your ignorance in fairness.
@Suzanne Bell: Well that’s not true. I’ve seen council tenants evicted.
E270 per month for 3 adults and up to 4 children ??????!!! E270 so less than 2 of their children’s allowance, seriously…over 73 million in arrears, think that she be looked at and more deserving housed
If you’ve no job, never had a job and all of your money comes from social welfare from the government and they’ve to take some of that and give to the council it’s a free house,
@Niall Ormond: That’s at least 3 ‘If’s’ in two and a bit lines.
Get that article to….. C…. pay f all compared to people who pay mortgages. It’s as good as free compared to paying a mortgage. The fact you can pick and choose whether to accept a house is laughable
@Declan Leonard: “If you refuse more than one reasonable offer in any 12-month period, you will be suspended from the list for 12 months, during which you cannot claim Rent Supplement.”
@Declan Leonard: so what you are saying is mortgages are too expensive therefore poor people should also have to pay too much rent?
what about an upper salary limit? We have TDs on 100k per annum, who can well afford to house themselves, living in council houses, thus depriving genuine claimants of a home
@Stephen Kearon: really name and shame Stephan
@Stephen Kearon: How much does the Drumcondra One cost the state every year Stephen? Hopefully he’s opened a bank account by now for all his pensions. Worth every penny ☺
@Sammycroj: Dessie Ellis for one. Must be part of Sinn Féin’s housing strategy.
An even bigger issue is what kind of social contract the council put in place. I’m not aware of this as such and maybe someone could advise as to the details of this element of the contract if any, and the level of enforcement that actually takes place. It just seems you can be a life long career criminal, not work at all and still get your full payout and your house. This is the minority that ruin neighbourhoods for those decent people around them. There should be greater ability for councils to evict for anti-social behaviour and general criminality
@Joe Bloggs 1980:
Not disagreeing with your point but the problem is the last sentence. What would be the point in the council evicting them? For anti-social behavior or rent arrears. They would then have to find another house for them. So short of civil war in an estate the council see no point in moving them.
@Patrick Nolan: there have been some evictions on that score. Especially if convicted of drug dealing.
@Vic’s Burd:
That may well be true but very rarely
Sad to see so much disdain and generalisations about people in social housing. The boo hoo brigade out in force.
It’s not fair to other taxpayers. There are many people work so hard and pay the bloody rent on time! Those who still in arrears for years are taking advantage of the council benefits. If council can’t evict them then lock them in until they follow the rules!
Maybe not technically free but practically free.
Why can’t I like comments
Is there something wrong with journal.ie ?
I can’t like people’s comments and some of my comments aren’t appearing.
The begrudgery by the usual FG fan boys and girls is disgusting. What is really disgusting is that when the myth, the fiction about “free houses” is blown, they still persist in their vileness.
The Free Profits for banks and vultures is no myth, it’s fact. The same fanboys and girls can see no problem with giving more free money to the corrupt thieving banks during a time that see so much social deprivation all over the country.
@Dave Doyle: if i don’t work and i get paid benefits by the state and this Free unearned money is then used to pay rent on a house provided to me by the state, how is this not a free house? Please just answer this question without bringing up political parties or bankers
@Fergus Sheahan: ah c’mon Fergus that’s unfair, deep down you know he can’t answer any question without mentioning, FG or the bankers
@Fergus Sheahan: most people in council houses actually work.
And a high proportion of people with mortgages are in receipt of FIS… are they getting free houses?
A certain group of the poorest in society are effectively getting free houses as you rightly point out. I don’t think putting them and their kids out in the street to die in the cold is the type of society any of us want.
@Fergus Sheahan: It takes a certain mindset to see the issue in those terms. You cannot ignore the root cause of the problem, that has caused the homeless situation grow to the unprecedented levels seen in the country. You have to understand why an artificial housing “market” has been allowed go out of control. Realise that nearly 25% of the working population earn no more than 400 euro a week, and many more earning above that will struggle to pay for rent and normal household bills. Housing cannot be a privilege reserved only for the well off. Housing must be a basic human right. Or do you believe low waged earners and those on SW should be living on the streets? In hotel rooms with no facilities, that must be vacated during the day? Or in hostels along side social misfits? Or should they build shanty towns on the city outskirts like in 3rd world countries? Live in caves?
You either live in a society or you live in an economy. A normal functioning society has an obligation to look after the needs of the less well off. If you want to live in an economy where it’s dog eat dog, you must realise the lessons from history. People will only tolerate so much.
The touch paper has been lit last week in Strokestown. Carry on thinking the way you do and reap the consequences.
@Neville Bartos: anyone who disagrees with Dave is a “FG Fanboy”.
@Chin Feeyin: And anyone who doesn’t agree with them is a Shinner.
@Dave Doyle: so no you can’t answer it, thanks
@Fergus Sheahan: I answered, you don’t like it, tough.
@Dave Doyle: if you are not a socialist in your 20′s you have no heart but if you are still a socialist in your 30′s you have no brain
@Fergus Sheahan: I’m beyond my 30′s Fergus. And for all my lack of brain, in your opinion. i don’t have to resort to petty insults to answer you.
These comments re FREE HOUSE are incorrect.. the rent is based on income..further most council tenants are working people..orthers are former business owners who employed people fr years paid tax etc..and became ill ended up on disability .. life is a long road with lots of ups and downs ..dont b so quick to judge with out making an informed comment..
@Mari: Income from where though? Income from the dole for refusing to get off the couch and work and pay tax. Where I live in Dublin they have the area destroyed with drugs and antisocial behaviour, all with three and four kids hanging off them. Their dole should be cut off
Seems to be a disincentive to work, there’s very little between social and minimum wage , taking expenses and every thing into account.
So to take 15% of that difference could put people off
So what happens when someone in a council house does not pay their rent? Are you going to tell me they are kicked out and put into a hotel?
This is how the concoction of a good government agency spoof and an avoidance of providing the full facts can hide the next wave of poverty that this government are going to inflict from us.
If you want to see the outlandish cost of even refurbishment of a house much less the payments to external legal firms while their own legal department sit watching then look at any three month period here:
http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-your-council-about-dublin-city-council/spending-and-revenue
And even that doesn’t paint the full picture.
A further question should be asked. How much did local councils pay in repairs for occupied homes and how much did the tenant pay?
@meathcoco I’m homeless and not even in the homeless figures lol.. I got “we will be in touch” and gave me a letter saying I presented homeless today.. Haven’t heard from the housing dept in Meath since July… getting cold
@Francis: your TD helping? Threshold? Housing activists?
If the rents were more then there could be more built for all the people that dont have one.
Well
@paul jones: well, said.
I see this is beat the social tenant time again. There are hard working people in social housing retirees those unable to work. Etc. Would some of you posters get a grip.
We are waiting 16 years for a council house but they lost our records twice. I have now been through college and am trying to make a career but here is the kicker, my salary is just about to tip over the threshold, our landlord has said he is moving back and I cannot afford to pay the going rate 1600 – 1800 per month. I will have to quit because I cant afford rent. How messed up is that
Qwerty
The alternative is save up 30 grand (no problem if you give me 10-15 years) and maybe I can get a mortguage
have your say