Seeking flexibility on housing rule

There are no national guidelines in place governing the acquisition of houses for tenants who have been served with notice to quit, councillors were informed at the February meeting of Westmeath County Council.

The subject was raised for discussion by Cllr Mick Dollard who asked what “formula” local authorities apply when considering the acquisition of houses.

The independent councillor said he was sure that many of his colleagues were on a daily basis – like himself - coming across people who have received notices of termination of tenancy. Many of these were people who would have been in receipt of RAS or in long term lease arrangements and may have been living in their home for as long as sixteen or seventeen years.

Cllr Ken Glynn supported Cllr Dollard’s request for insight into acquisition arrangements before going on to inquire about progress at Charlestown in Mullingar: “Are we still on target for provision of phase one later in the summer?” he asked.

Responding, director of services Mark Keaveney, told councillors there isn’t a national policy: “What guidance is provided is that we should acquire where we can and where it's expedient to do so and where there's a need and in accordance with good policy,” he stated.

Continuing, Mr Keaveney said a major consideration was if an acquisition was required to prevent homelessness. In addition the property had to be appropriate to the person’s needs; the household had to have no record of anti-social behaviour; the householder should have been on the housing list for at least five years and a Notice To Quit must have been served.

It was also a requirement that the tenant is not related to the owner of the property.

Cllr Dollard felt that since the guidelines were not national but had been drawn up by Westmeath County Council, there should be some leeway given on the five year question.

“While this is a local procedure, we have talked to our colleagues in other local authorities and ones we've spoken to are using the same or similar type procedure, so while there's no national guidance, we are in line with what our neighbours are doing and what other local authorities are doing in terms of the five years,” Mr Keaveney replied.

He confirmed that there could be some flexibility on occasion.

Charlestown

Responding to Cllr Glynn, Mr Keaveney said that the council is in constant contact with the developer of the Charlestown site and with the approved housing body involved which is Respond.

He stated that good progress is being made and the council is expecting delivery of the first phase midyear and the second phase later on this year.