Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
38. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures put in place by his Department to ensure that those families that are not eligible for the cost-rental tenant-in-situ scheme are not made homeless as a result of their current property being put up for sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32923/23]
View answer91. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans, if any, to adjust the cost rental tenant-in-situ scheme to take into account families whose household income exceeds the limit specified in the scheme and where, because of the age of the applicant, a mortgage is not an option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32922/23]
View answerThe Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) Scheme was introduced, initially on an administrative basis, to address the immediate circumstances of the ending of the 'Winter Emergency Period' on 1 April 2023. This scheme is available where a tenant faces the termination of a tenancy due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. The scheme is available if the tenant household:
• is not able to or intending to purchase the property from the landlord,
• does not own other residential property,
• is assessed by the Local Authority to be at risk of homelessness,
• is not in receipt of social housing supports (i.e. the Housing Assistance Payment or the Residential Accommodation Scheme), and
• has an annual net household income of no more than €53,000.
Local Authority Housing Officers have responsibility for assessing the risk of homelessness to tenants who have received a valid notification of termination due to an intended sale of a property, and so it is the local authority that tenants should first approach.
If the local authority is satisfied that the applicant tenant household is eligible for CRTiS, it will pass the details of the tenant and the property to the Housing Agency for consideration. The Agency will then engage with the tenant and the landlord with a view to acquiring the property.
It is the longer-term intention to transition these tenancies and homes to the standard framework for Cost Rental, where rents are set at a level to meet the costs of acquiring, managing, and maintaining the home. It is for this reason that the net household income limit of €53,000 (gross income less income tax, PRSI, USC and superannuation contributions) aligns with the standard income limit for Cost Rental.
If household incomes are above the limit to be eligible for the Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ Scheme, tenants can contact their local authority who will be in a position to advise them of other measures which may be appropriate for their specific situation.
