Council Wants To Use Properties Vacant Over A Year For Social Housing

.

KERRY County Council has issued a call for properties which have been vacant for more than one year for possible use for social housing purposes.

The newly launched Repair and Leasing Scheme targets vacant properties as a possible source of social housing and provides property owners with an income stream that may be otherwise unavailable.

The scheme provides that repair and improvement works to bring such properties up to the standard for rented accommodation are funded by the relevant local authority, in this case, Kerry County Council.

Continued below…

.

The cost of the works is then deducted from rent/lease payments over an agreed lease term of at least ten years.

There are a number of requirements in relation to the scheme:

·         The scheme is not available for private renting

·         The property must be vacant for at least 12 months

·         There has to be a social housing demand for the property locally

·         The property has to be viable to provide accommodation

·         The minimum lease term is dependent on the cost of repairs with a minimum lease period of 10 years and a maximum period of 20 years

·         The maximum cost of repairs allowable under the scheme will be €40,000

·         The lease payments will be based on the general terms of social leasing which is set at 80% (85% for apartments) of the current market rental rates in the property location

·         The scope and cost of the works are agreed between the owner and Kerry County Council

Properties in all areas will be considered but in particular the council is anxious to source properties in the main towns and villages in the county. The benefits for those considering availing of the scheme include:

· Upgrade your property at no capital outlay from your own resources

· Guaranteed rent

· No loss of rent during vacant periods

· No collection of rent or finding a new tenant

· No dealing with tenants or routine maintenance

· No advertising costs

Application forms and further details are available on Kerry County Council’s website,www.kerrycoco.ie, or by contacting the Housing Department at 066 7183645 or by email atkerryrls@kerrycoco.ie

Interested property owners should complete the application form and submit the relevant documents to the Housing Department, Kerry County Council, County Buildings, Tralee, Co Kerry on or before Thursday, 1st June, 2017.