Council rent review for 2026
Tenants of Tipperary Co Council homes are to face another rent review in 2026.
The council previously carried out a review in 2021 and into 2022 to ensure that all tenants were paying the correct rent in accordance with the income of the household. This resulted in an upward adjustment of household rents in cases where there was a non-declaration of a rise in household income.
Last week’s discussion of the council’s 2026 budget heard that another review is to be undertaken next year. Cllr Willie Kennedy anticipated an increase in rent payments and asked whether these would be ringfenced solely for housing maintenance.
Cllr Declan Burgess welcomed the rent review, saying the council needs more money for maintenance and “our tenants deserve better”. But he observed that the council had carried forward €1.1 million in rent arrears from last year and this represented only a slight change of around one percent on the previous year. This was despite Tipperary having one of the best rent collection records in the country. Cllr Burgess inquired about efforts to improve collection.
‘WORRYING’ ARREARS
Cllr Phyll Bugler described the rent arrears figures as “worrying”.
Director of Services Jonathan Cooney said the council would be undertaking a rent review with the aim of tackling maintenance of its housing stock. He told the meeting that there has been an under-investment in housing maintenance for a number of years. The council has carried out a survey of its stock and would seek to engage in emergency works as well as planned maintenance.
Mr Cooney said the council has around 5,700 housing units, 2,000 of which could be described as “good standard”. By 2030, between retrofitting and bringing vacant units back into use, another 1,000 would be of similar standard. The remainder would require planned maintenance and monies recouped from rents would be ringfenced for this. “If we don’t do this, there will be serious problems up ahead,” Mr Cooney warned.
All tenants are to receive letters in January and are to be asked to update their particulars.
Mr Conney said a total of 741 rent accounts were in arrears, of which 468 were in payment plans with the council. He hoped that those not engaging would enter into payment plans as part of the review.
The director added that Tipperary Co Council’s rent collection rate of 94% is among the best in the country.
Head of Finance Mark Connolly said the rent arrears figure in 2024 stood at €1.4 million and was previously higher than that. He said the council takes rent collection seriously. “We’re very aware that we can’t rest on our laurels.”
Mr Connolly added that council tenants are dealt with on a case by case basis where rent is concerned. He said great progress has been made in this area over the last number of years.