Council verifies 122 vacant homes across South Dublin County

SOUTH Dublin County Council has outlined its process for getting a property ready for re-let as it has detailed that there are 122 vacant homes across the county.

At the recent meeting of South Dublin County Council (SDCC), the authority gave a breakdown of vacant properties in the county by Local Electoral Area (LEA).

Palmerstown-Fonthill has the highest number of vacant units in the county, with 46 in total while Tallaght South has 37 in total.

There are 14 vacant units in Clondalkin, 11 in Tallaght Central, seven in Firhouse-Bohernabreena, five in Rathfarnham-Templeogue and two in Lucan.

A ‘void’ property is one that is immediately available for new tenants after it has been vacated.

In a framework set out by the Housing Agency, which included contributions from South Dublin County Council, called Effective Void Management in Ireland, homes becoming vacant are described as “usually a positive thing as it enables [Local Authorities] to meet the needs of those waiting for a home”.

With there being 122 vacant council properties at various stages of the reletting process, the local authority has given a detailed overview of that process – turning around a void for re-let.

When the property is surrendered to the allocations section of the council, arrangements are made to secure the property and provide “shuttering” if it is required.

Initial inspections are undertaken by the maintenance sections to identify clearing-out and cleaning requirements.

Clerk of works undertakes a detailed property inspection and prepares a schedule of required refurbishment works for framework contractor for the area, who submits a quotation, based on tendered and agreed rates to complete the works.

After review of the quotation, a purchase order and task order is raised with the projected start and finish dates.

Allocations are then notified of the projected finish dates and prospective tenants can be sourced through Choice Based letting, and homeless, medical, transfer lists to make formal tenancy offers.

The appointed contractors are responsible for coordinating the allocated works, with the works monitored by the council’s local foreman of works.

The allocations department and housing maintenance staff meet weekly to coordinate timelines for works and prospective tenancy sign ups.

Following the conclusion of the works, the contractor prepares a handover file and a post-works BER certificate for the property.

The final stage of the process is the formal signing of the tenancy agreement by the prospective tenant.