Rented Local Authority Housing.

Building/Acquisition of Houses

Longford County Council has approximately 1,050 rented properties in its ownership. Each year a number of new houses are built while a number will be sold to existing tenants under the "tenant purchase schemes".
The Local Authority carries out an Assessment of Housing Needs every three years to establish housing requirements in the area. This assessment was last carried out in 1999 and forms the basis for allocation of housing starts by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The actual number of houses built or acquired depends on the "Department of the Environment Annual Housing Start Allocation". In recent years it has been almost 50 houses per annum in Longford. These houses, along with casual vacancies, are then available for letting. In 1999 the number of applicants for this accommodation on the Council's housing waiting list was approximately 360.

Extensions to Local Authority houses in lieu of re-housing
Where a housing applicant is an existing tenant of the Local Authority, but existing accommodation is overcrowded, an extension to existing accommodation may be provided in lieu of re- housing.

Extensions/alterations to Local Authority Houses for disabled persons

In cases where a disabled member of a household being resident in a Local Authority house requires extra accommodation or alteration to existing accommodation to meet his/her needs, the Council may carry out such work or may offer alternative housing more suitable to the person's needs.

Remedial Works schemes

The remedial works schemes allow the Local Authority to completely renovate a street or scheme of Local Authority houses thus providing up-to- date facilities in previously sub-standard accommodation.

Bathroom schemes

Under this scheme the Local Authority can provide bathroom facilities for Local Authority houses without such facilities. Longford County Council has now installed bathrooms in almost all suitable dwellings under this scheme.

Application and assessment for rented Local Authority Housing

To apply for accommodation it is necessary to complete an application form which can be obtained along with full details from the Housing Office. Your application will be assessed under the " Scheme of Letting Priorities" to determine eligibility. In considering your application various reports may be sought and taken into consideration e.g. Medical reports; Health Board reports; Environmental Health Officer's report and report from other Local Authority if previously a tenant.

Transfer applications

Transfer applications from existing tenants may, also, be considered.

Housing allocations

As vacancies arise, houses will be allocated in accordance with applicants position on the waiting list as determined under the "Scheme of Letting Priorities" and the Council's "Statement of Policy on Housing Management". The "Tenancy Agreement" sets out the conditions applying to the tenancy and must be signed by each tenant or jointly by both tenants where a joint tenancy is granted.

Housing Rent system; Rent & Tenant purchase annuity collection

Rents on all houses now allocated are based on the " Differential Rents Scheme" as updated. This scheme sets minimum and maximum rents for Local Authority houses with rents charged on the basis of household income. Fixed rents still apply in the case of some very long-standing tenancies.
Longford County Council gives tenants the following options in relation to the method of paying rent or tenant purchase annuities:

Weekly door to door collection
Payment at Housing Office during office hours
Payment through An Post Household Budgeting Scheme for tenants in receipt of certain Social Welfare payments
Payment through the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
Standing Orders to be deducted from Bank Accounts.

Housing