Fine Gael Cork South Central Deputy, Jerry Buttimer, has said that rent allowance should be reduced or withdrawn where anti-social behaviour occurs. Deputy Buttimer raised the issue of anti-social behaviour in rented properties with the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, in the Dáil during topical debates.
“Where anti-social behaviour occurs in circumstances where the State is paying rent allowance, the most effective form of enforcement would be to either reduce or withdraw that allowance.
“In some parts of Bishopstown and Douglas in Cork there are many rented properties which are located in quiet and, in many cases, mature residential areas. In these places there is often persistent anti-social behaviour and excessive noise. There is also often evidence of broken windows and rubbish dumped on neighbouring properties.
“We must take action in respect of landlords and tenants who are only interested in obtaining access to rent allowance, who do not care about the state of the properties and who believe the feelings of those who own neighbouring properties to be irrelevant.
“In one recent case before the Private Residential Tenancies Board there was only a small fine for the landlord; no penalty was imposed on the tenant even though the adjudicator said that behaviour in the property ‘on numerous occasions constituted anti-social behaviour’. The adjudicator also said that residents had been ‘directly and adversely affected such that their quality of life, safety and securit