asked the Minister for Local Government what is the position of tenants of non-municipal houses which are taken over by a county borough in an extension of the borough boundary and who have become corporation tenants; whether the Corporation of the borough is entitled to increase the rents of these tenants, and, if so, to what extent; and whether these tenants, whilst living in the city and paying rent to the Corporation, are entitled to purchase their houses under the Labourers Acts, 1936; or whether they come under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tenants of Non-Municipal Houses in County Boroughs.
26.
In the case of a house taken over from a rural housing authority by the urban authority whose area has been extended, the powers of the Urban Authority to increase the rents are similar to those possessed by the rural of any increase in rents or the extent housing authority from whom the houses are transferred. The question of any such increase remains, as previously, a matter for the housing authority owning the houses.
A cottage can be transferred to the urban authority with the agreement of both local authorities at any time after 12 months from the date of the boundary extension. When a cottage is so transferred the purchase provisions of the Labourers Act, 1936, or of any purchase scheme made thereunder cease to have effect. Any proposal for the sale subsequently of the transferred cottage would then come within the provisions of Section 11 of the Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919.
Does that mean that those tenants whose houses have been taken over by the Corporation are liable to have their purchase annuity increased from 9/- a week to 34/10d. a week?
I take it that the purchase annuity will be related to the rent?
Yes. Will they then be classed under the Labourers Acts or under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts?
If the transfer of the ownership of the houses has taken place, they will come under whatever scheme is operative in the area in question.
Under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts?
Under the Housing (Ireland) Act, 1919, Section 11.
Do you think the Cork Corporation would be prepared to pay £36,000 a year compensation to those tenants? That is the amount of the difference between the two sums.