The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) was initially piloted in Carlow and Waterford and the pilot has been rolled out nationally since 23 February 2017. The scheme is one of a suite of measures available to local authorities to bring vacant properties back into use. Since the national roll out, my Department has been working intensively with local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to develop and implement the scheme. There have been a number of national and local press advertising initiatives, as well as targeted online promotion, in an effort to ensure that property owners who can avail of the scheme are aware of it.
A breakdown of the RLS data for 2017 and up to end Q2 2018 is set out in the following table:
Year
|
Applications
|
Agreements to lease
|
Operational
|
2017
|
820
|
31
|
9
|
2018 (to end Q2)
|
217
|
60
|
22
|
Based on claims received to end Q2 2018, the average cost of works per dwelling is €28,145.