Donegal County Council is aware that households in our area may have received a notice of termination from their landlord and may be unsure about what to do.
Anybody who has received a notice of termination and who has no alternative accommodation can contact the Council.
The Council's first response will be to support households to try to prevent homelessness.
Where a person or household is eligible for social housing:
Donegal County Council will assess the availability of social housing properties, provide advice on applying for Choice Based Lettings (where available), or advise the person or household on the level of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) they may be eligible to receive.
In some cases, the Council will assess if the property in which the tenant currently resides is suitable for acquisition, where it is being offered for sale and the owner is interested in selling to the Council. In prioritising properties for acquisition, consideration will be given to aspects such as the cost, value, condition and size of the property, and its suitability for the tenant/household. If there are social housing units available via the Council or an Approved Housing Body, allocation to these will also be considered.
Where a person or household is not eligible for social housing:
Donegal County Council can assess and refer households for the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ scheme (managed by the Housing Agency) and provide advice or direction to appropriate services.
The Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ schemeis available to tenants who are not eligible for social housing and are at risk of homelessness. The Council is a first point of contact for this scheme, but the scheme is managed by the Housing Agency. Under the scheme, the Housing Agency can purchase a property and rent it to the tenant. Where a tenant is at risk of homelessness and the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ scheme applies, the Council will undertake an initial assessment of the tenant’s circumstances and refer details to the Housing Agency for consideration.
Where a tenant wishes to purchase their home, the Council can provide advice and support on the Local Authority Home Loan scheme. We are aware that the Government is examining implementing a ‘right of first refusal’ for tenants to purchase their homes, as well as expanding the First Home shared equity scheme. Donegal County Council will be able to provide more information on these when available.
We would like to assure households that emergency accommodation will be a last resort only, where no other appropriate alternative can be identified. Households in emergency accommodation will be supported to access more permanent accommodation.
Donegal County Council will continue to deal with notice of termination queries and cases as quickly as possible, while taking account of circulars and guidance issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
Tenants may also wish to contact the Residential Tenancies Board, Threshold or other tenant support services for support and advice on tenant rights - see contact details below.
