Glynn claims rents up more than reported

Claims that no local authority tenant has received a rent increase of more than 25% were challenged by members at the April meeting of Westmeath County Council. Cllr Ken Glynn claimed he knew of one case in which the weekly rent rose from €90 to €150.

Antonia Smyth, senior housing executive, said 80% of local authority tenants in Westmeath pay less than €100 a week rent; 366 pay less than €30; 329 pay €30-40/week; 209 pay €40-50; 280 pay €50-60; 487 pay €60-80; 405 pay an average of €89 a week; and 20% (531) an average of €127.

She reported that 60% of local authority tenants had their rents reduced or unchanged following a recent review. Weekly rent went up by €1-5 for 973 households, by €5-10 for 314 households, by €10-15 for 231 households and by €15-20/week for 384 households. The 7% who did not respond to the review incurred a €20/ week penalty.

Cllr Glynn said some rents had gone up significantly more than reported. “It is frustrating to hear of people being hit with heavy rents,” he said.

Ms Smyth said she could not comment on a specific case that has not crossed her desk, but she would look at it.

In reply to Cllr Paul Hogan, Jimmy Dalton, head of finance, said the rental income takes account of all the council’s tenants including leasing, RAS and social housing tenants because the differential rent scheme applies to them all. “We built in €175,000 as the likely increase in income as a result of the rent review, but it will likely be more than that, maybe €250,000,” Mr Dalton said.

In reply to Cllr Mick Dollard, Ms Smyth said that increases in Social Welfare were not taken into consideration in this rent review, but accepted, as Cllr Vinny McCormack pointed out, that they will be taken into account in the next review, next February.

Cllr Tom Farrell wondered how many of the 194 that have not made income returns have refused to pay rent. Mr Dalton said that those tenants have their rent increased by €20 a week and it is up to them to make their returns if they feel they are being overcharged. “We expect them to pay their rent like any other tenant,” he stated.