ALL Council Tenants Should Have Right to Buy- O'Leary

All Council Tenants Should Have Right to Buy – O’Leary


Commenting on the City Council’s proposed new tenant purchase scheme, Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has said national legislation should be amended to extend the right to buy to council tenants in flats and apartments.

Cllr O’Leary said:

“At present, council tenants who live in flats or apartments are excluded from tenant purchase schemes under national legislation. This is unjust. It sets up two classes of council tenants, one of whom has the right to purchase their home while the other does not. Many in the second category would not qualify for a transfer to a three-bedroom council house, so they are in effect precluded from ever owning their own home.”

“Frankly, I find it bizarre that although it is quite usual for private tenants to own their own apartments, national legislation assumes that councils are somehow unable to manage a similar situation in local authority developments.”

“This is a significant issue, which was brought up on the doors by a substantial number of people I canvassed during the recent election. There are council tenants across the city who want to buy out their flats but are prevented from doing so. The sale of these dwellings would also raise badly needed money for the council’s housing budget. I am calling on the incoming government to amend national legislation so the tenant purchase scheme can be extended to all council tenants.”

For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307