Private landlords must be held to account claim Mayo councillors
Mayo councillors call for financial implications for landlords who allow anti-social behaviour to continue in their property
Private landlords who allow anti-social behaviour to take place at their residents should face financial implications according to Mayo councillors.
The draft anti-social behaviour strategy for tenants of local authority housing came before members of Mayo County Council and was met with general approval.
On legal advice Mayo County Council agreed not to include Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenancies in the strategy as this is a matter between the landlord and the tenant, and 'the Council’s only involvement is in effect a guarantee that the landlord will be paid the agreed rent'.
Cllr Peter Flynn, Cathaoirleach of the Housing SPC which proposed the new strategy said that they propose to write to the Minister for Housing calling for HAP payments to be withheld from landlords if anti-social behaviour continues in private residences.
“This is an area that has caused a lot of trouble where landlords aren't taking the appropriate steps but people are blaming the council but the council are not involved.
“We cannot have a situation where we have anti-social behaviour in private residences with nothing to do with the council,” he said.
His proposal was supported by Fianna Fáil councillor Damien Ryan who said that it is only 'right and proper' that 'punitive financial sanctions' should follow if anti social behaviour continues.
There was broad support for the anti-social behaviour strategy which states that the local authorities are not obliged to provide housing to anybody evicted for anti-social behaviour and all complaints are dealt with in a confidential manner.
Castlebar-based councillor Donna Sheridan said that residents of one estate in Castlebar are preparing to hold a public meeting because their 'lives have been made an absolute hell' and it is the same landlord involved who does not take action.
Ballinrobe-based councillor Michael Burke said the majority of landlords are responsible but stressed there were others who only take tenants for financial gain and they have to be punished.
“They let their property willy-nilly to anyone as long as they get the maximum return out of it,” he said.
“We have to write to the minister stating there should be financial implications for those people who allow anti-social behaviour to go on in their properties. People are afraid to go to bed at night because of this carry on next door and that cannot go on. We have to stop that. The government needs to do more ...people paid with assisted rent have a responsibility as much as Mayo County Council.”