Applicants for homes vetted over property

PEOPLE ON waiting lists for social housing are being vetted by local authorities to ensure they do not own any property either in Ireland or abroad.

The move follows a statutory requirement that came into force recently, but has not been highly publicised. For the first time, the social housing assessment regulations 2011 require applicants to provide information on current or past property ownership either in the State or abroad.

In many areas it is the first time non-Irish nationals are formally required to provide evidence they do not own a property in their home country, according to local government sources.

The move comes as latest figures show the number on housing waiting lists has reached a high of 98,000 households. Given the continuing economic challenges and the rising number of people in mortgage arrears, the number is likely to continue to grow.

In Ireland, social housing applicants are required to get confirmation from the Revenue Commissioners that they have not previously claimed mortgage interest relief on a property they own.

All non-Irish nationals must submit documentation from the property registration authority or equivalent body in their home country to confirm whether they own any property there.

The regulations state an applicant for long-term social housing support is ineligible if a household member owns alternative accommodation that could reasonably be expected to be used by occupying or selling it, and using the proceeds for suitable accommodation.

The vetting applies to both new and existing applicants on social housing waiting lists. Given the requirement came into force last April, officials say it is too early to say whether many applicants or prospective applicants are being struck off waiting lists.

Fine Gael TD John Deasy, who has previously called for such moves, welcomed the requirements and said previous governments should have acted sooner to tackle the issue.

“Irish and UK nationals have had to demonstrate for some time that they don’t have property, so it’s only right that the rule is applied to all people,” the Waterford-based TD said. “We need tight controls to ensure that only those who need social housing receive it.”

He said local authorities would need to approach the issue sensitively given some foreign nationals may find it very difficult to prove they do not own property.

“In some developing countries where I’ve visited, title to land or property isn’t readily available or may not even exist,” he said.