Rental terminations are now Kerry’s ‘predominant’ housing issue, claims councillor
The KerrymanNotices of termination have become the “predominant” housing issue in Kerry as new rental legislation coaxes landlords to sell their properties.
Councillor Maura Healy-Rae said some receivers of housing assistance are now in a “desperate” situation after being served notices of termination by their landlords.
From March 1, rental agreements will at minimum be six-year tenancies and landlords will be unable to put their properties on the market without tenants being left in situ. Rents will also not be allowed to increase more than two per cent annually.
Estate agents in Kerry’s major towns have said there has been a significant increase in rental termination towards the end of last year, with many leaving the market altogether due to the approaching regulations.
At a recent Killarney Municipal District (MD) meeting, Kerry County Council said they were aware of 15 notices of termination for tenants in the Killarney MD who were receiving housing assistance payments.
“For significant number of years, housing has been the number one issue with people I’m dealing with,” said Cllr Healy-Rae, “but in recent times it’s people that are receiving notice to vacate.”
“That seems to be the predominant issue in relation to housing now.”
Cllr Healy-Rae said those that are evicted are facing new tenancies with rents up to 50pc higher than their previous agreements.
“They just feel they have nowhere to go…as time goes on, I’m concerned about it because it’s only going to get worse,” she said.
Councillor Marie Moloney echoed Cllr Healy-Rae’s comments, adding that “so many” people are in this situation.
The council highlighted the existing supports for people facing eviction, including other social housing supports. If these options were ruled out, the council would consider purchasing the property from the landlord that is selling, under the Tenant in Situ scheme, but advised that such acquisitions had proved challenging.
New stock often must be refurbished and can require significant investment to meet government standards.
It comes after figures show the majority of housing support payments in Kerry are over their defined limit.
Two thirds of Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) in December were above their defined limit, while one third were at the hard statutory limit of 135 per cent.
Rental prices have risen dramatically in Kerry, with rent for a one-bedroom apartment costing on average 50 per cent more than it did in 2020.