Council to vote on new rules to tackle anti-social tenants
Members of Mayo Co Council will be asked to consider a proposal to withdraw Housing Assistant Payments (HAP) from tenants who engage in anti-social behaviour.
The council's Housing Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) signed off on a draft policy around anti-social behaviour at a special meeting last Thursday, although members were advised there was no legislation available to enforce a measure to withdraw the payments.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne suggested the measure could still be imposed and it would be up to the tenant to take the matter to court if they wished to oppose it. It was also agreed that the Housing SPC will make a submission to the Government seeking a mechanism by which the council could withdraw the payment, even though it falls under the jurisdiction of the Residential Tenancies Board.
The drafting of the council's anti-social behaviour policy in relation to housing is now finally moving a step forward with its referral to the April monthly meeting of councillors. Cathaoirleach of the SPC Cllr Peter Flynn welcomed the move, saying it had remained under consideration by the policy committee for over two years.
The SPC members also recommended that nuisance behaviour in the form of noise pollution from tenants and also in the form excessive dog barking be included in the policy, with an additional clause to accommodate whistleblowers who wish to anonymously report potential criminal offences such as drug dealing and domestic abuse.
In relation to cases where tenants may receive threats from drug dealers, Cllr Harry Barrett said: “We are living in different times and a lot of intimidation is creeping in so we have to look at anonymous complaints, especially from those who are intimidated by drug dealers. The drug culture is in every town and village now and this must be reflected in the policy.”
Welcoming rules on noise pollution, Cllr Brendan Mulroy said: “This is about giving power back to officials so that people can live in an estate in peace and quiet.”
Proposing the measure to remove HAP payments from troublesome tenants, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne stated: “An obligation comes with HAP that people must behave in a normal way. If a person is receiving a HAP payment, that is taxpayers’ money and if they are not following the normal tenancy regulations, the only action I’m asking for is that the council stops their payment; it is then up to the landlord to deal with it and if the tenants want to oppose it they can take it up with the courts because the local authority is tasked with prudent use of taxpayers’ money."
Cllr Flynn thanked all in the housing team for their work on the document, saying: “We’re two years in this SPC discussing this and at least we have something firm now to go to the full council.
Outgoing Director of Services for Housing Tom Gilligan added: “We have debated this for a long time and have a very good document here now and we can’t let perfect be the enemy of good here.”
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
