Charities ‘changing rents at will’

TENANTS of some Voluntary Housing Associations are paying up to 65 per cent more in rent than nearby Council tenant neighbours.

That’s “just not right”, according to Sinn Féin Councillor Chris MacManus.

“I have been contacted by several tenants of Cluid and Respond who are aggrieved that they are paying sometimes 60-70 per cent more than council tenants despite living within yards of each other, in comparable size homes with similar incomes,” he told the meeting. The Council agreed on his motion to call on the Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to regulate the rent schemes of bodies such as Cluid and Respond so that the maximum rents they can charge are equivalent with those of Councils.

“My concern is that these housing associations are unaccountable and can change how they charge rents at will,” he said.

“In fact some Voluntary Housing tenants are paying sums equal to mortgage repayments yet would not qualify for a loan to buy a home.”