Council rent review to go ahead despite calls for it to be halted

A controversial rent review process affecting almost 6,000 Cork City Council tenants will not be halted despite protests and calls for it to be scrapped.

About 40 members of the recently formed Tenants Rights Association picketed City Hall before last night’s council meeting.

They said the review, which was first reported by the Irish Examiner last week, has generated fear among tenants who are already in difficult economic circumstances.

As part of the first rent review in Cork city in seven years, the council has distributed 5,790 letters to tenants, requesting details of those living in the council-owned homes, and their incomes.

It has also asked for PPS numbers, for employment details, copies of three of the most recent payslips, a set of accounts from the self-employed, and details of social welfare payments where applicable. It has also threatened a €25-a-week rent increase unless full and accurate information is submitted.

Protest spokesman Diarmaid Ó Cadhla said the tone of the letter has caused offence and he called for the process to be scrapped.

“It is a strongly threatening and disrespectful letter — going far beyond simply informing tenants that they are obliged to complete the return,” he said.

During the course of a lengthy council debate, Cllr Des Cahill (FG) accused protest leaders of deliberately misunderstanding the document for their own political gain.

“Shame on them,” he said.

But Cllr Ted Tynan’s (WP) call for the process to be halted was backed by several councillors.

Cllr Mick Barry (AAA) accused city officials of rushing in a “panicky way” into the review, and criticised the “heavy-handed” tone of the letter.

However, the city’s head of housing, Valerie O’Sullivan, said nothing could be further from the truth. She said 75% of the forms have already been returned ahead of Friday’s deadline.

“The vast majority of tenants have nothing to fear from this local authority, and they know it,” she said.

Councillors were told that the council shared tenants names and addresses recently with Irish Water, as it was required to by law, but household composition details and PPS numbers were not handed over.

Ms O’Sullivan said an annual rent review was common practice up to 2008 and tenants were always requested to provide their PPS numbers.

“The only changes in this form being used now is requesting tenants next of kin, and reminding tenants that giving false information could lead to tenancy being terminated,” she said.