Council tenants facing rent hikes will have to produce evidence of hardship

Council housing tenants facing rent increases in parts of Co Cork will have to get proof from Money & Advice Budgeting Service (Mabs) to show an inability to pay any extra.

The increases will primarily affect residents in the north and west Cork divisions of Cork County Council. In some cases, rents could be doubled.

Council management decided to hike rents in rural areas in line with those charged in the southern division — which covers the more affluent peripheries of the city along with Youghal, Midleton, Glanmire, Blarney, Kinsale, Macroom and Bandon.