Advice about rent supp reduction

Fran79

Hi
I have been renting for about 19mths and my rent supp has been reduced again (2nd time since I have been here). My husband was working when we first moved in and we have both had temp jobs in the interim, but we are now both on JSA.
CWO sent me a letter stating that in order for me to continue receiveing rent supp I need to give him a new tenancy agreement showing the reduced amount.

My LL is currently considering, but what can I do if he refuses? (We have had several conversations and I can tell he is not happy about the situation). I have pointed out to him that I will cease to receive RS from November and that my CWO has told me if the rent is not reduced I have to move.

What are the consequences of leaving a tenancy early in these circumstances? What about my deposit etc?

I'm not happy about the position I have been put in as I am now the bad person.

Any help?

Thanks

Slydice

I don't know much about this area and only my best guess is that the Government intend all such reductions to be taken by the landlord.

Have you talked to the Social Welfare Office or maybe the PRTB?

Also boards.ie has a state benefits board here: http://boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=861


Please do update this thread to let us know how you get on.

daltonm

If you are in Dublin for example then the RS amount for a couple with no children is 800 per month (max) , if you are receiving this and they are trying to reduce it then you should appeal this decision (link below).

If your situation has not changed and you are within the guidelines then you are entitled to know why they are reducing your RS.

I have not heard of a second cut in the RS, so this cut appears to relate to your specific case.

I don't think that they can simply cut your RS if you are within the guidelines.

Are you mid lease? If so then it is my opinion that they cannot force you to break the terms of a lease and lose your deposit.

Very odd I have to admit.


Let us know how you get on.











http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/SupplementaryWelfareAllowance/Pages/RentSupplement.aspx

Fran79

Hi

Daltonm
There have been 2 cuts one in 2009 and another in June 2010 (this second cut is being phased in as rent supp yearly reviews are processed)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0611/1224272270885.html

jfyi we are a couple with 1 child - I wont mention which county just in case my LL reads here.

Slydice
Social welfare wont deal with this situation as it is CWO within the HSE who administer rent supp.
Will contact prtb in due course.

Fran

daltonm

Fran79 wrote: »

Hi

Daltonm
There have been 2 cuts one in 2009 and another in June 2010 (this second cut is being phased in as rent supp yearly reviews are processed)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0611/1224272270885.html

jfyi we are a couple with 1 child - I wont mention which county just in case my LL reads here.

Wow Fran, I didn't know about the second cut.

From the article >

"The changes will apply only to those renting for the first time or those in receipt of rent supplement who are coming up for a rent review. They will only apply to landlords. There is no change in the €24 a week that social welfare recipients have to pay for their own accommodation."

If your lease is up (and I am taking it from the article that it is) then you will not be leaving the tenancy early so your deposit is safe.

You may have no alternative but to seek alternative accommadation - not easy with a child I know.

Fran79

daltonm wrote: »

If your lease is up (and I am taking it from the article that it is) then you will not be leaving the tenancy early so your deposit is safe.

You may have no alternative but to seek alternative accommadation - not easy with a child I know.

Hi
unfortunately my lease is not up till March. As stated when we first moved in hubby was working so we were not getting rent supp. This is the one year review.

Hence my worry about my deposit.... I would be leaving my tenancy 4 months early.

Fran

daltonm

Fran79 wrote: »

Hi
unfortunately my lease is not up till March. As stated when we first moved in hubby was working so we were not getting rent supp. This is the one year review.

Hence my worry about my deposit.... I would be leaving my tenancy 4 months early.

Fran

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/rentall.aspx#part3
Review

A review is carried out when the Department is notified of any change in circumstances.
Periodic reviews are also carried out to confirm that the qualifying conditions continue to be satisfied.


Fran - I think you should appeal the decision based on the fact that your circumstances have not changed and your rent has not decreased.

Good Luck.

Fran79

Hi
Daltonm - This is a govt reduction across the country......how can I appeal this. Yes my circumstances have not changed, but the max rent allowance limits have decreased.


Fran

gossipgal08

I think (correct if wrong) the first cut was infact the increase of the tennents contribution from €13 to €24. New limits are ment to reflect the drop in rental prices.