SCANDAL OF 100 ILLEGAL EVICTIONS DURING 2020
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A CHARITY has revealed it had to intervene in more than 100 illegal or threatened evictions this year.
Housing group Threshold said it advised on almost 300 invalid notices of termination despite protections given to tenants during the Covid- 19 pandemic.
But it claimed the total represents a fraction of those threatened db yb homelessness.
Speaking about the challenges posed by Covid- 19, Threshold chairperson Aide en Hayden said: “This year the Covid- 19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives and society. Private renters felt this keenly as they make up a large number of workers in sectors which experienced the greatest job losses.
“The moratorium on rental evictions introduced in March and again in October did offer some reprieve for tenants. In spite of this, however, Threshold had to intervene in over 100 illegal or threatened evictions and advised on almost 300 invalid notices of termination between March and August.
“During the most recent five-week moratorium, introduced alongside Level 5 restrictions in October, we had to intervene in 17 illegal or threatened evictions and advised on 69 invalid notices.”
The charity added in some of these cases, tenants came home to find the locks changed with their belongings still inside and had nowhere to go.
And according to its annual report for 2019, 60% of all renters who sought help from Threshold last year were in employment.
Only 10% were under the age of 25 with three- quarters aged between 25 and 44.
Yesterday, Ms Hayden said the data reveals the profile of renters across Ireland is changing.
She added: “It shows renting is no longer a transitional tenure for students and young people before they buy their own home or secure social housing.
“Those aged over 35 are more likely now to rent for life but, without affordable options, there will be a housing affordability crisis for this cohort – as well as for the State – when they retire.
“Where it is an option, under- 25s may still be living at home with their parents as they cannot afford to rent.
“We can also see a growing cohort of people without children in the private rented sector.
“These may all be indicators of delayed independence and family formation as renting is not a secure or reliable housing option.”
Referring to last year’s data, the charity said it prevented 8,351 households comprising 10,709 adults and 7,916 children from entering homelessness.
Over- 35s are more likely now to rent for life AIDEEN HAYDEN YESTERDAY