Just 41 properties available to rent nationwide for those on Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) in December

The number of properties available to rent increased for the first time in two years. Stock Image

 

January 13 2023 02:30 AM

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Just 41 properties were available to rent across the country by people reliant on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme in December.

Of these properties, 40 fell within discretionary HAP limits and only one property was available to rent under a standard HAP rate. 

The Simon Communities of Ireland’s quarterly Locked Out of the Market report found a 17pc increase from the 35 available in September.

The number of properties available to rent increased for the first time in two years.

There were 757 properties available to rent at any price within the 16 study areas over the three dates surveyed.

This represents a 93.1pc increase from the previous report, but is still down 43.8pc from the 1,349 properties available in December 2021.

The properties within HAP limits were mainly in the capital, with 24 found in Dublin city centre, north Dublin city and south Dublin city.

In Dublin, the discretionary rate allows up to an additional 50pc on the standard rate; this is 35pc elsewhere in the country.

Out of the 16 areas, 11 had no properties available to rent in any household category within standard or discretionary HAP limits.

These were Athlone, Cork city centre, Cork city suburbs, Galway city suburbs, Galway city centre, Co Leitrim, Limerick city suburbs, Limerick city centre, Sligo town, Portlaoise, and Waterford city centre.