Letterkenny Sinn Fein Councillor, Gerry Mc Monagle is calling on Donegal County Council to set up a dedicated team to help tenants who are served with eviction notices.
Cllr McMonagle said the team should be assembled at each of the Council’s Public Service Centres around Donegal.
From July to September last year, 88 eviction notices in Donegal were served by landlords on their tenants.
Cllr McMonagle says that local authorities have a key role at the assessment stage of the new Cost Rental Tenant In-situ Scheme. Under the terms of the scheme, local authorities have the responsibility for the initial assessment that a tenant is at risk of homelessness.
Cllr McMonagle said: “Whilst the assessment by a local authority Housing Officer will be conducted in the same manner and using the same evidence base as other situations in which a person presents to a local authority. I believe it would be important that a dedicated Housing Officer should deal with those tenants who are presenting with a tenancy Termination order at all of our Public Service Centres across the County.
“I would also call on any person or family faced with a termination order to contact their local authority as soon as possible after they receive a termination notice and make an appointment to see the Housing Officer.”
Those presenting with a Termination Order will need to bring, (i) A valid Notice of Termination: (ii) Proof of their income, (iii) Evidence that they have a long term right to reside in the country.
The local authority’s Housing Officer will then discuss the various options open to the applicant. If the local authority is satisfied that the applicant tenant may be eligible for the Cost Rental Tenant In-situ scheme they will pass their details on to the Housing Agency.
“It is vitally important that tenants do this as early as possible to allow time for the Housing Agency to assess their eligibility for the Cost Rental Tenant In-situ Scheme,” Cllr McMonagle added.
“The Housing Agency cannot take applications directly from potential applicants so it is imperative that people contact their local authority as soon as they receive a Termination notice.”
