Tipperary County Council notified of 300 Notices to Quit last year

Tipperary County Council was made aware of 300 Notices to Quit in 2022.

That is according to Director for Services in Housing Sinead Carr at last week’s full council sitting.

Prompted by a query from Clonmel councillor Richie Molloy, she said the 300 notices were made to HAP and RAS tenants.

“That is a huge number for this county, to be honest with you,” said Ms Carr.

Ms Carr said the council had assisted some of those asked to leave their home while others had found new accommodation on their own.

The Director of Services said the council is signing up roughly four HAP accommodations a week.

And while she said it is a struggle, they are helping people find accommodation. Ms Carr advises those issued Notices to Quit to contact the housing department as soon as possible, even where an eviction ban is in place.

“Don’t leave it until the last minute. If you come to us at the last minute expecting us to produce a house, it just doesn’t work like that in today’s society,” said Ms Carr.

Ms Carr encouraged councillors who know of people struggling with a Notice to Quit to talk to housing staff. She assured them staff at Tipperary County Council would be able to help and may already be familiar with the tenant and their situation.

HAP Houses

The matter of acquisition was also discussed at last week’s meeting.

Tipperary Town Cllr AnneMarie Ryan asked if the council was purchasing HAP houses. Last year, local authorities were given permission by the Department of Housing to purchase houses where a HAP tenant was living if the landlord decided to sell.

According to Ms Carr, Tipperary County Council has permission to purchase these homes until the end of the first half of 2023.

Last year, she said, Tipperary County Council purchased approximately 24 HAP homes.

Choice-Based Letting

Thurles councillor Sean Ryan asked the Director if there has been increased engagement in the Choice-Based Letting system.
Councillors previously raised concerns about the system, saying those with low levels of IT literacy struggle to use it.
They called on the council to put measures in place to assist those unable to use the online system.

Ms Carr said about a third of those eligible were not using the Choice-Based Letting system.
This is the reason all housing allocations are not choice based, she added.

She said the issue was to be brought to the Strategic Policy Committee.

“I want to make sure we are doing all we can to capture everyone,” said Ms Carr.

The Choice-Based Letting system is an online portal where applicants can express their interest in a particular property as they become available.

The Choice-based Letting system is available to those on the council’s housing list and those who have been issued Notices to Quit.