Offaly County Council rent increases are 'appalling' and 'monstrous'

RENT increases introduced by Offaly County Council last week for its tenants have been described as 'appalling' and 'monstrous'.

Cllr Sean O'Brien told the Council meeting on Monday afternoon that he has received a lot of phonecalls from distressed Council tenants about the matter. Cllr Peter Ormond said he too was concerned and he had received quite a few phonecalls. 

Cllr John Leahy sought assurances from the Council executive that higher income earners paying Council rent would be treated fairly in this matter and not treated unfairly simply because they earn more money.

Cllr Declan Harvey said he had advised upset tenants to look for rent reviews or to appeal the situation.

"Tenants in Cloneygowan and Tullamore contacted me," said Cllr O'Brien, "and told me they had been paying €112 a week in rent, which is quite high for Council rent. Now that has been increased to €239 a week, an increase of 113%.

"A tenant  in a two bed apartment told me his rent has been increased from €116 Euros to €160, an increase of 38%. 

"An old age pensioner told me his rent has been increased by 15%. An OAP who received an increase of €10 in the budget is now having €6 of that whipped away by the Council.

"These rent increases, and many others, have been made irrespective of the property's location, condition, or repairs pending, or the tenant's ability to pay. Some of the properties have repairs pending for two, three, four years. I propose that we defer these rent increases. A lot of tenants told me they rang the Council but couldn't get through to anyone. I'm appalled by the whole thing."

Cllr Ormond said the tenants who are being the most unfairly untreated are those on the higher end of the income scale and those on the lower end of the income scale.

"We are in a cost of living crisis," Cllr Ormond pointed out, "and many people are finding it very hard to make ends meet. These rent increases are a hammer blow to them. They are working extremely hard, some are double jobbing, some are working extra hours. Some are working extremely hard to put their children through college. The rent hike is a massive blow to them. I thought there was an acceptable and fair rent ceiling in place in the Council. Well, that ceiling has been smashed. One woman contacted me and said she has two children in college and she's paying €780 in rent. She is working extra hours in the evening. She feels harshly treated by the increase. She says she can't pay it."

Cllr Harvey said he was in the Council department and said that piles of appeals have been lodged against these rent increases.

Cllr Neil Feighery commented that tenants had called him to express their shock at the high increases.

Cllr Noel Cribben said it was very disappointing to see OAPs and people on social welfare being adversely impacted

Cllr John Carroll said no one likes to see cost increases, especially during a cost of living crisis.

Director of Services Sharon Kennedy told the Councillors that rent increases are an executive function and are not a reserve function of the councillors. In other words, the increases are being imposed by the Council executive; the councillors can do nothing to oppose that process.

Ms Kennedy pointed out that the various allowances available to tenants, such as the fuel allowance, were not affected.

"70 households failed to return the rent review forms therefore the maximum rent increase was imposed on them. We are advising them to come into us with their rent review forms. Some households have in fact seen a reduction in their rent. All Council rents are calculated according to the income coming into each house.

"I want to also say that we are doing our very best to get around to tackling repairs outstanding in the council properties."