Fundamental to the ongoing breaches of council tenants’ rights, says CAN, is that these renters have no mechanism for “meaningful participation” in resolving problems in their estates. While private renters can go to the Residential Tenancies Board to enforce rights, council tenants have nowhere and no “legally enforceable rights”. Dr Kenna describes as “duplicitous” the argument that conditions in council housing are solely a responsibility for local authorities. All their housing is funded by the State.”A “structured, State response” is needed to ensure council housing complies with European charter rights, he says. It’s hard to believe in a wealthy country we are leaving people in these conditions, in State housing”.

Source: The Irish Times March 11, 2021 03:00 UTC