Galway City Council gets more than 460 complaints from tenants

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – A very small disruptive proportion of tenants were making life hell for residents in social housing estates, a meeting of the Council heard this week.

This came as a stark warning was issued that the Council had no obligation to rehouse tenants evicted for anti-social behaviour.

It was revealed that the Council received 461 complaints in 2021 relating to residents in its housing stock – 329 were dealt with and 132 remained unresolved. Just three repossessions were carried out.

Cllr Mike Cubbard (Ind) said the Council was failing to address complaints in a timely manner – and was accepting bogus excuses from tenants with complaints levelled against them.

“Everyone living in a Council property has a tenants’ handbook and 99% of them abide by it, but it’s just 1% who are causing all the problems.

“Some of the excuses being given to housing liaison officers are like something from a ‘Carry On’ film,” said Cllr Cubbard.

Cllr Níall McNelis said there were anti-social behaviour issues in several estates ranging from drug dealing to animal ownership – and sought clarity on the course of action the Council takes against those breaching their tenancy agreement.

“If someone is dealing drugs; engaging in anti-social behaviour; having regular parties; or is keeping animals and non-safe dogs at the back of the house, and they are given a final warning, does that person have to be rehoused?” he asked.

Dermot Mahon of the Council’s Housing Department said 80% of the complaints received were resolved and at a ‘relatively low level’.

This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.