South Dublin County Council to Increase Rents for Households with Working Adult Children

South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is planning to adjust its rent structure for social housing, impacting approximately 21,000 tenancies. The proposed changes will see increased charges for households with working adult children, often referred to as “subsidiary earners.” This move aligns with a broader trend among Irish local authorities to reassess rental income based on total household earnings.

Understanding the “Subsidiary Earner” Charge

The changes target individuals within a household earning above the social housing income threshold, which currently ranges from €40,000 to €47,000 per year [Source: europesays.com]. Currently, SDCC assesses total household income without a cap on how much can be charged to these subsidiary earners, potentially leading to significantly higher rent increases for larger families [Source: nova.ie].

Current Rental Model and Proposed Changes

Under the existing SDCC model, tenants pay 10% of their total household income plus a €3 weekly charge. An additional 10% is levied on subsidiary earners. The council is now considering raising this 10% charge or increasing the rate applied to income above the eligibility limits [Source: nova.ie].

Comparison with Other Dublin Councils

SDCC’s approach differs from other Dublin councils. Dublin City Council is increasing its subsidiary earner cap from €21 to €40 and removing the four-person charging limit, while too raising the primary earner rate from 15% to 18%. Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council has eliminated its €20 weekly cap. Fingal County Council plans to raise its cap from €40 to €60 and increase its income rate from 12% to 14.5% [Source: nova.ie].

Rationale Behind the Changes

The move is driven by the increasing age at which young adults are leaving the family home – the average age in Ireland is almost 27 [Source: europesays.com]. Councils argue that employed adult children should contribute more towards household rent [Source: europesays.com].

Applying for Social Housing

To apply for social housing in South Dublin County Council, applicants must apply through the Housing Online system. Completed applications are assessed by the Allocations section, and eligible applicants are placed on a housing list based on the length of time they have been waiting [Source: sdcc.ie]. Social housing support includes Council owned, RAS, Leased and Voluntary Housing Association dwellings [Source: sdcc.ie].

Eligibility Criteria for Council Housing

Criteria for eligibility include demonstrating genuine housing need, having the legal right to live in Ireland, being 18 years of age or older, and residing in or having a local area connection to South Dublin County Council [Source: sdcc.ie].