Rental accommodation scheme (RAS)

The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a nationwide scheme for people who are receiving rent supplement for 18 months or more and who have a long-term housing need. It is an alternative option to the provision of Council-owned or Long Term Leased property in meeting housing need.

The Council enters into a 3 way contract arrangement with a landlord and tenant to secure the medium to long-term availability of private rented accommodation for the RAS. Galway County Council will pay rent for the property directly to the owner. 

The tenant does not make any rent contribution to the owner/landlord but instead pays a rent contribution directly to the Council calculated under the council’s 

 for Council tenancies.

Applicants/ Tenants

• Applicant must be in receipt of a rent supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme for a minimum of 18 months.
• The applicant must have a long-term housing need, as assed by the housing authority.
• The applicant must have a right to permanent residence in the state.
• The tenants pays a weekly differential rent to Galway County Council
• The Council pays the full rent to the landlord on behalf of the tenant.
• Your Landlord is responsible for the maintenance and repair equipment.
• If there are any tenancy disputes, you should contact the Residential Tenancies Board or telephone 0818 30 30 37 or 01 702 8100.
• The rental amount paid by the tenant is based on the income for their household. The amount of rent is calculated using a differential rents scheme.  This means that the rent is based on your ability to pay.  The income of any other members of your household will be added to the rent calculation and there may be deductions for any children in your family.  Each Local Authority operates its own rent scheme. You must inform Galway County Council if your income or the income of anyone in your household changes
• An offer of accommodation is deemed to be a reasonable offer if the proposed accommodation is suitable to the housing needs of the applicant, and in the area of choice specified by them. If you are offered accommodation under the RAS scheme, you can refuse it.  If you refuse two offers of social housing within a twelve-month period your housing application will be suspended for a period of 12 months. The Community Welfare Officer will be notified and they may suspend your rent supplement.  You will not be eligible for any further offers of accommodation for a period of at least one year.
• Galway County Council does not have a transfer facility for moving between Local Authority Areas.  However, if you have a need to move to Galway you must submit a housing application form for assessment with full supporting documentation outlining the basis of the need for accommodation in the County.
• The Residential Tenancies Act, 2004 , governs the contract.

Landlords

Under the scheme Local Authorities enter into an agreement with landlords to provide housing for people with a long-term housing need.  The Local Authority pays the rent directly to the landlord.  Tenants pay their rent to the Local Authority. Rent will be paid on or before the beginning of each month directly into your bank account guaranteeing your rental income.

The Residential Tenancies Act, 2004 , governs the contract.

A tenancy-by-tenancy arrangement will be in place to meet a tenant's accommodation requirements i.e. when the tenant leaves the contract ends. This remains in place for the duration of this specific tenancy and ceases if that tenant moves out.

During the contract the landlord retains responsibility for matters such as:

• Insurance
• Routine Maintenance / Repair and Replacement of Equipment
• Dealing with breaches of tenant's obligations
• Payment of the management company service charges (if any) and other charges such as NPPR, Household Charge and Local Property Tax.
• Any termination of the tenancy by the landlord must be carried out in accordance with the established procedures set-out in the Residential Tenancies Act, 2004.  Appropriate notice is required to be given.
• If there are any tenancy disputes, you should contact the
• Landlords must be tax compliant and provide an up to date Tax Clearance Certificate
  • Non-residential landlords require a TC but are also liable to a 20% tax deduction made monthly. The Landlord may claim tax-credits on this deduction from Revenue.
  • Tax Clearance Certificate
• Confirmation of up-to-date payment of NPPR, Household Charge and Local Property Tax
• Landlords must provide a Building Energy Rating Certificate (BER)
  • A Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate
• Landlords must register tenancies with the Residential Tenancies Board
• Tenancies are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004
• Properties for rent must meet minimum standards as outlined in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 (pdf).  A further set of regulations, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (pdf) came into effect on 1 December 2009.

This legislation specifies requirements in relation to a range of matters in rented accommodation such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, light and the safety of gas and electrical supply.  Visit www.environ.ie for further information.

Further information is available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, including an explanatory leaflet for landlords