Council seek vacant properties for social housing

THE newly launched ‘Repair and Leasing Scheme’ is seeking vacant properties in Kerry. The scheme is an attempt to source social housing and would provide property owners with an income stream. All properties that have been vacant for more than a year will now be considered for social housing.

Repair and improvement works will be provided to bring properties up to a required standard for rented accommodation and will be funded by Kerry County Council. Cost of the works is then deducted from rent/lease payments over an agreed term of at least ten years.

Properties in all areas will be considered, but the council is anxious to source properties in the main towns and villages. Some of the benefits of the scheme include: upgrades to properties at no capital outlay from your own resources, guaranteed rent and no loss of rent during vacant periods, no collection of rent or finding new tenants, no dealing with tenants or routine maintenance, and no advertising costs.

However, a number of stipulations also apply 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 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 at kerryrls@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, on or before Thursday, June 1, 2017.