Written answer
Rental Sector
1831. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review correspondence (details supplied); whether the rent policy applied is consistent with current departmental policy; the recourse that is available to tenants of approved housing bodies who believe they are not benefitting from the same allowances as local authority tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62032/26]
Comment on this
My Department provides a range of funding streams, through local authorities, to assist AHBs with the delivery of social housing. These include the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF), the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) and the Capital Loan Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), which is closed to new applications since 2011.
The terms and conditions of these funding schemes, including rent setting, are set out in -
• my Department's Memorandum on Capital Funding Schemes for the Provision of Rental Accommodation by Approved Housing Bodies (Voluntary and Co - Operative Rental Housing): VHU: 2/02 of May 2002 and related circulars, and
• the relevant mortgage, loan and Payment and Availability agreements in force between local authorities and AHBs.
The appropriate manner for calculating rent under the CLSS is set out at Paragraph 9.8 of the Memorandum. Ultimately, it is matter for respective local authorities to satisfy themselves that AHBs are complying with the requirements, including vis-à-vis the setting of rents for CLSS supported social homes. Clarification on these matters can be sought directly from local authorities.
As my Department has no role in setting or reviewing rents, or monitoring individual tenant means, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific matter raised.
Notwithstanding, if the tenant referred to in this instance is dissatisfied with the manner of rent setting and has been unable to resolve the issue directly with the AHB or local authority, they can refer the matter to the Residential Tenancies Board mailto:disputes@rtb.ie who provide a dispute resolution service.