Landlord using rent allowance scheme to rip off tenants

Irish Summer

Hi folks... I have a quick question re the rent allowance scheme.

Was talking to a friend last night, and found myself getting really p***ed off on her behalf. Don't want to reveal any info that could be identifying here, so will have to keep the details general.

Herself and her husband are renting a house privately from a landlord. They are both out of work, and they have three children, so they are claiming the max amount allowable for their area under the rent allowance scheme. Where they are renting is quite rural, and the max amount of rent allowance is a good 100euro over the max amount that would typically be charged for a 3 bed house in the area. But.... and this is the infuriating part. The landlord has asked for another 50 euro/week cash from them. Her parents live nearby, and as they're aren't really any other houses available right now in the area, they're going to pay the extra 200/mth.

I think this is clear abuse of the system by the landlord. The state is basically subsidising the over inflated rent.

Is there someone I can report this to? Would anything ever be done?

Stheno

Irish Summer wrote: »

Hi folks... I have a quick question re the rent allowance scheme.

Was talking to a friend last night, and found myself getting really p***ed off on her behalf. Don't want to reveal any info that could be identifying here, so will have to keep the details general.

Herself and her husband are renting a house privately from a landlord. They are both out of work, and they have three children, so they are claiming the max amount allowable for their area under the rent allowance scheme. Where they are renting is quite rural, and the max amount of rent allowance is a good 100euro over the max amount that would typically be charged for a 3 bed house in the area. But.... and this is the infuriating part. The landlord has asked for another 50 euro/week cash from them. Her parents live nearby, and as they're aren't really any other houses available right now in the area, they're going to pay the extra 200/mth.

I think this is clear abuse of the system by the landlord. The state is basically subsidising the over inflated rent.

Is there someone I can report this to? Would anything ever be done?

Have they checked daft to see what other houses are going for in the area?

also are they aware that if they pay over the limit for rent allowance they may lose the allowance?

How long are they there and when was the rent last increased?

Irish Summer

It's the only house that's suitable right now cause her parents are so close. There only just starting to rent it.

You mean if they go ahead and pay the 50/wk they could get in trouble?

Stheno

Irish Summer wrote: »

It's the only house that's suitable right now cause her parents are so close. There only just starting to rent it.

You mean if they go ahead and pay the 50/wk they could get in trouble?

Does the extra he is looking for take the total rent over the limit? If it does yes, they could be in trouble. Unless the rent allowance people agree to it, if they find out they can entirely cancel the allowance.

When was the rent last increased and have they checked other properties on daft? There is a reason I'm asking these questions to give you advice

Irish Summer

Ok. Great to get some help.. thanks.

Theres no other house on daft in that exact area, but there would be others in nearby similar areas. Other houses in the area have definitely rented for a lot less before - I know that from having looked at prices myself before. And the house theyre thinking of would definitely have rented for less before too. I'd say the previous tenants paid 100euro less than the rent allowance max, if I had to guess. Now that landlord hears the words rent allowance, and suddenly he wants the max rent allowance + 200 extra/mth.

Irish Summer

Going to give her a ring tonight and tell her what you siad about the chance that the rent allowance would be cancelled, if they pay more.

Surely, if they say that to the landlord, he'll have to just settle for the rent allowance.

Stheno

Irish Summer wrote: »

Ok. Great to get some help.. thanks.

Theres no other house on daft in that exact area, but there would be others in nearby similar areas. Other houses in the area have definitely rented for a lot less before - I know that from having looked at prices myself before. And the house theyre thinking of would definitely have rented for less before too. I'd say the previous tenants paid 100euro less than the rent allowance max, if I had to guess. Now that landlord hears the words rent allowance, and suddenly he wants the max rent allowance + 200 extra/mth.

Well they can't legally get rent allowance if they are paying over the limit

Have they just gone onto rent lowance?

They could go to the prtb to dispute the increase

The landlord is legally entitled to increase the rent in line with market rents once in a twelve month period

If they have not previously been on rent allowance, his increasing the rent over the limits when they ask to go on it could be his way of forcing them to move

They could contact threshold but if the landlord can show the hike is within market limits there isn't much they can do afaik

They may have to look for somewhere else to live

You could ask the mods to move this to the accommodation forum where you'll get more advise

Stheno

Irish Summer wrote: »

Going to give her a ring tonight and tell her what you siad about the chance that the rent allowance would be cancelled, if they pay more.

Surely, if they say that to the landlord, he'll have to just settle for the rent allowance.

Not at all depending on their lease/tenancy agreement he can terminate once he follows the law and they will have to find somewhere else

He can't be forced to accept less rent than he can get on the open market once he follows due process

Irish Summer

They were renting somewhere else before.
The previous tenants moved to another county. The landlord just then decided to put up the rent. It's definitely not in line with market rates. Hes just trying to exploit the fact that theres a 'free' X euro per month coming from rent allowance

Stheno

Irish Summer wrote: »

They were renting somewhere else before.
The previous tenants moved to another county. The landlord just then decided to put up the rent. It's definitely not in line with market rates. Hes just trying to exploit the fact that theres a 'free' X euro per month coming from rent allowance

Sorry but you need to be more specific.

1. How long are they renting there?
2. Were they always in rent allowance from when they started renting there?
3. If not when did they go on rent allowance?
4. Do they have a written lease/ tenancy agreement?
5.How much is the limit for their rent allowance and how much do they currently pay?
6. Have they checked via daft etc how much other houses nearby are currently being advertised for rent? Not six months ago but now?

njs030

Everyone has to pay x amount towards their rent on top of rent allowance, a couple have to contribute €40 per week.

So are you saying they add €90 per week?

snubbleste

OP what are you on about?

If you think that the landlord is asking above the market rate for the area, then it is a PRTB issue. Open a dispute.

Havequestions

Well, look around, you will see something that will be more ideal to situation.

mp22

http://www.prtb.ie/



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