asked the Minister for Local Government (a) the number of local authority tenants at present withholding rents and money, (b) the total amount of money due and (c) and if he is prepared to meet the tenants organisations to settle the dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Withholding of Rents.
124.
At the 30th November, 1971, 3,839 of the 105,113 local authority tenants in the country were withholding rents. The total amount of money withheld to that date is estimated at £297,000.
As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 155 of 24th June, 1971, in regard to meetings which I had with representatives of the National Association of Tenants' Organisations. In that reply I pointed out that, amongst other things, the proposals of the association would favour the betteroff tenants at the expense of the less well-off tenants and would thereby undermine the fundamental basis of differential renting which is to relate the rent liability of each tenant as closely as possible to his financial ability to pay. The proposals would throw an extra burden of £2 million on the rates in the first year, rising annually in future years. This £2 million would be additional to the subsidies of nearly £11 million which are being paid by the general body of ratepayers and taxpayers this year to keep the rents of local authority houses at their present level—the average weekly rent being £1.27 per dwelling.
In view of the attitude of the association in the discussions I have had with them and their efforts to disrupt the normal workings of local administration by encouraging tenants to withhold rents due to local authorities, I have no intention at present of meeting them again. I would, however, point out—as I have informed the association on more than one occasion—that the management and control of houses in their estates is, subject to the Housing Acts and regulations, vested in the local authorities. It is with these authorities, therefore, that the tenants must reach agreement within the framework of the existing law on any issue relating to the rents of the houses since it is the local authorities who would have to raise the money through increased rates or adjustment of other rents for any concessions they grant.
Would the Minister not agree that no matter what dispute occurs, whether between countries or employer and employee or, as in this case, the local authorities and the tenants, it must eventually be settled by discussion around the table or alternatively somebody is crushed? Would the Minister not agree that discussions should be initiated and that he should use his good offices to try to have that done? Or does he consider the tenants should be completely crushed and he will hold out until that actually happens?
My advice to any tenants' organisation is to negotiate with their manager who is responsible in law for the administration of these housing estates.
If the manager does not want to do that or tries to lay down terms before the discussion takes place, what are they to do?
I have no evidence of the reluctance of managers to be reasonable in this matter and make themselves available to tenants for discussion of matters affecting them. I should like to see this practice continue. I offer that advice to all tenants' organisations.
If a tenants' organisation brings to the Minister's notice such an attitude on the part of a manager, would the Minister be able to do anything?
The Minister would consider any such matter brought to his notice.