Uproar at huge increase in council rents in Offaly

TENANTS of Offaly County Council are in uproar at the massive increase in house rents which were notified to people by post over the past few days a public representative has claimed. 

Independent councillor, Sean O' Brien has called for an immediate review of the process as one tenant got a demand for a rent which is an increase of 113 per cent on their previous rent.

"Tenants are utterly devastated at having to pay these new levels of rents to the Council.  Many tenants are feeling the pinch with the recent increase in the cost of living, including groceries and energy bills and they are now being pushed to the limit to make ends meet.  The Government obviously changed the system and are allowing the Council fleece their Council tenants so that the Government will not have to give as much to local authorities.”

“The Fine Gael/Fianna Fail control group in Offaly County Council clearly knew about this and kept silent about it," outlined a furious Cllr O' Brien.

"One of the tenants who contacted me are seeing their weekly rent increase from €112 per week to €239 per week, an increase of 113 per cent. This is simply outrageous. The Council have been inundated with calls from tenants over the past few days.    People  whose income is a disability payment  are seeing rent increases of €84 per month. This is not acceptable and I will be seeking an immediate review at the top level of the Council," concluded Cllr O' Brien