asked the Minister for the Environment if he will state whether in cases where a tenant purchaser of a local authority house undertakes to carry out agreed pre-sale repairs to the house the cost can be deducted from the purchase price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority House Sales.
7.
The existing legislation which governs the sale of local authority houses does not permit the cost of agreed pre-sale repairs undertaken by a tenant to be deducted from the purchase price of the house. A tenant may, however, enter into an agreement with a housing authority that he will, within a specified time after the making of a transfer order, carry out or arrange to have carried out the works necessary to put the house into good structural repair. In such cases the authority will recoup to the tenant the agreed cost when the work has been completed to the satisfaction of the authority.
Is the Minister aware that local authorities are finding it very difficult to enact the present legislation? Would he agree that there should be some amendment whereby the local authorities could enter into an arrangement with tenants who are prepared to purchase houses and so get over this difficulty which is causing grave concern to local authorities in relation to carrying out repairs?
I accept that difficulties have been encountered, from my own experience in a local authority, under section 13 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979. We all wish to facilitate tenants to have repairs carried out and it is a matter I shall look into.
Does the Minister agree that what he has stated does not always happen? Because a tenant has signed an agreement to purchase his house, has 21 days and pays £5 to the Department of the Environment, it does not always follow that his repairs, as promised, are carried out? In those circumstances, has that tenant any legal status to ensure that the work is carried out or can he insist that the work be carried out?
That seems to be a different question.
I want to assure the Deputy that if the tenant purchaser is not satisfied with the structural condition of the house when it is transferred to him, he may, within the 21 days mentioned by Deputy Lemass, apply to the Minister for the Environment to determine any doubts in this regard. I can assure the Deputy there will be no delay on my part in determining any questions which may arise.