Workers’ Party calls for state to recoup funds from landlords who have caused and profited from substandard accommodation
The Workers’ Party has strongly condemned the states’ handout of thousands of euro to landlords who profit from renting out hazardous, radically substandard accommodation. Workers’ Party councillor for Dublin’s north inner city, Éilis Ryan, this morning visited a premise at 3, Kelly’s Row, in Dublin 1, which has been declared unsafe by the fire safety authority. Tenants are refusing to leave the building, fearing – justifiably – they will be left homeless if they do so.
Cllr. Ryan said;
Walls and partitions at 3 Kelly’s Row in a dangerous condition
“The building at 3 Kelly’s Row is clearly unsafe for habitation. The building’s walls are broken; stairways are no longer weight bearing; and uninhabited flats are littered with human faeces. It is disturbing that the landlord of the premise continues to collect rent totaling upwards of €2,000 from four flats – including at least one occupied by children and their mother – which remain inhabited in the building, paid by the state in the form of rent supplement.”
Cllr. Ryan continued;
“It is not right that either tenants or the state should bear the cost of either renovation or rehousing – or that the tenants should become homeless. Landlords appear to have taken an annual 24,000euro subsidy from the state in rent supplement and have ignored the serious dilapidation of the premise. The state’s solution is to insist on the eviction of its tenants – taking no responsibility for their further welfare – and to allow the buildings’ owners to sell it for further profit.”
Cllr. Ryan concluded;
“Its clear there have been problems with anti-social behaviour in the premise in question. – exacerbated by the landlords’ neglect of the building. However this is not an isolated incident. The governments’ programme of condemning substandard accommodation must be accompanied by measures that ensure the state recoups funds from landlords who have caused and profited from substandard accommodation over the past decades.
Dangerous stairs / broken handrail
In cases where landlords refuse to carry out necessary repairs and instead chooses to sell or vacate a property, the Workers’ Party believes the state should claim a portion of the equity of the property to finance its redevelopment, and the rehousing of its tenants. This must be accompanied by increased security of tenure for all tenants whose homes are sold.”
Faeces and other detritus on floor