Following the end of the ban on no-fault evictions on March 31st 2023, Tipperary County Council will support household(s) who have been served valid notices of termination though a combination of existing supports and new measures available.
It is important that household(s) with notices of termination engage with the council at the earliest opportunity.
There are two protocols in place:
- Protocol in the case of household(s) who are entitled to social housing
Where a household(s) meets the criteria for social housing/ is on the social housing list presents to the council with a valid notice of termination, the following steps may be taken:
- When the council has assessed that the household is at risk of homelessness as defined by Section 2 of the Housing Act 1988; it will act to prevent them entering emergency accommodation using existing prevention measures such as:
- Assisting them to secure alternative accommodation through the HAP Place-finder service.
- Assist them with the council’s on-line expression of interest median-Choice Based Letting
- If the household(s) has the means to potentially purchase the property, they will be advised of the availability of the Local Authority Home Loan or First Home Scheme.
- The council may consider acquiring the house under the existing social housing tenant-in-situ scheme. In prioritising properties for acquisition, consideration will be given to aspects such as cost and value, condition of the property, size and suitability for the household.
- Where the individual/household is assessed as being at risk of homelessness and where all other possible prevention steps have been exhausted, a household may be accommodated as a last resort through emergency accommodation.
- Protocol in the case of household(s) who are not entitled to social housing
In the first instance, we would advise the tenant to contact Threshold and get the Notice of Termination validated. Threshold can be contacted by post at 22 South Mall, Cork City, online at www.threshold.ie or free phone 1800 454 454.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently examining options to allow tenants who are not eligible for social housing to remain in their homes, these are:
- Cost Rental Tenant in Situ (CRTiS)
Under this scheme, it is envisaged that Local Authorities will undertake an initial assessment of the tenant’s circumstances and refer details to the Housing Agency for consideration.
Members of the public with queries regarding Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme can be directed to the Housing Agency via email at tenantinsitu@housingagency.ie or by phone at 1800 000 024. This phone number will be operational Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, including lunchtime.
The Council await further details on the proposed scheme from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
- Purchase under First Right of Refusal
We are aware that the Government is examining implementing a ‘right of first refusal’ for tenants to purchase their homes.
The Council await further details on the proposed scheme from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
- First Homes (Shared Equity) Scheme
The First Home Scheme is a shared equity scheme. This means that homebuyers can apply for funds from the scheme in return for the First Home Scheme taking a percentage ownership in the property purchased. The First Home Scheme is currently only available to new build properties in housing estates but will be amended to extend eligibility for the scheme to those with notices of termination
See https://www.firsthomescheme.ie/ for further details and contact information.
Local Authority Home Loan
Where a tenant wishes to purchase their home, we can advise and support on the Local Authority Home Loan scheme.
Please contact customer services at 0818065000 or on our website https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/housing/local-authority-home-loan/step-by-step/guide-home-loans
Emergency accommodation
Where the individual/household is assessed as being at risk of homelessness as defined by Section 2 of the Housing Act 1988; and where all other possible prevention steps have been exhausted, a household may be accommodated as a last resort through emergency accommodation.
