Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)
Introduction
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is designed to provide security of tenure in good quality accommodation for eligible tenants in the private rented sector.
Eligible tenants are persons:
In receipt of Rent Supplement normally for more than 18 months and
In need of long term housing
The RAS is implemented by Wexford County Council on a county-wide basis and focuses on
- Eligible Tenants in the Private Rented Sector
- Eligible Tenants in the Voluntary Housing Sector
Under the RAS, eligible tenants and their landlords become RAS clients. The rent negotiated between the Council and the landlord is paid monthly by the Council directly to the landlord for the duration of the RAS contract.
Under the RAS however, the landlord and tenant retain all duties and responsibilities under landlord and tenant law.
RAS Benefits
The RAS offers a number of important benefits to Tenants and Landlords.
For Tenants these are:
- The RAS provides the necessary springboard to accessing employment, training or education opportunities which may lead to broader accommodation options in the future. Tenants can stay in the scheme upon taking up full time employment unlike rent supplementation.
- Greater security of tenure
- Removal of poverty trap
- Alternative choice of long term housing
- Good quality accommodation
The Benefits to Landlords are:
- If you have a good tenant, you will retain them
- Payment for Void periods (contract dependent)
- No letting or Rent Collection Costs
- Security of income for duration of Contract
- Damage deposit put in place by Wexford County Council
Implementation
1. Tenants:
If you are in receipt of rent supplement for (normally) 18 months or more you are deemed eligible for the RAS. Eligible tenants are met and the scheme is explained to them. A tenant questionnaire (click on link below) is also completed.
If you are happy to remain in your current accommodation, Wexford County Council will seek to enter into a contract with your landlord allowing you to remain in the property subject to the property meeting rental standards.
In the event that you are not happy to remain in the property, Wexford County Council or the tenant will source alternative accommodation from a landlord who is agreeable to enter the scheme.
Before the tenant enters the RAS, they must submit to Wexford County Council a Declaration of Income Form (click on link below) completed by their employer and or the local social welfare office.
The tenant must also sign a Consent to Cancellation of Rent Supplement Form (click on link below) and submit it to Wexford County Council. As Wexford County Council undertakes to pay the full monthly rent to the landlord, there is no need for rent supplement to continue to be paid to the tenant.
Consent to Cancellation of Rent Supplement Form
Once the tenant enters the RAS, Wexford County Council undertakes to pay the monthly rent to the landlord. The tenant will pay a rent contribution to Wexford County Council. The rent contribution may decrease or increase in accordance with your income.
The landlord remains responsible for all maintenance issues and routine house inspections whilst in a RAS contract.
Please Note:
In the event that you refuse two offers of accommodation from any housing provider, your rent supplement may be withdrawn.
As RAS is deemed to be a long term housing solution, if you are on a social housing list you will be removed from the list on entry to RAS.
2. Landlords:
Tenanted Properties
To be eligible for the RAS, your tenant must be in receipt of rent supplement for (normally) 18 months or more. In the event that this is the case, Wexford County Council will be in contact to discuss the RAS.
Wexford County Council will carry out an inspection of the property to ensure that it is suitable for the long term housing needs of the tenant and complies with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 & 2009.
Wexford County Council will negotiate a rent with the landlord and will undertake to pay the rent monthly in advance for the duration of the contract.
Landlords must submit required documentation as detailed in the Landlord Checklist (click on link below).
There are two types of RAS contract available:
(1) Fixed Term Contract and
(2) Tenant Specific Contract
The Fixed Term Contract is for a set period up to 4 years. Wexford County Council undertakes to pay the landlord the monthly rent for the duration of the contract regardless of whether the property is occupied or not. Under this contract, Wexford County Council has sole nomination rights for tenants.
The Tenant Specific Contract is for the duration of your tenant’s tenancy. Wexford County Council undertakes to pay the landlord the monthly rent as long as that specific tenant resides in the property. Once the tenant leaves, the contract with Wexford County Council ceases. Wexford County Council does not have nomination rights under this contract.
Wexford County Council’s preference for tenanted properties is to enter into a Tenant Specific Contract.
The landlord remains responsible for all maintenance issues and routine house inspections whilst in a RAS contract.
Vacant Properties
Landlords with vacant properties seeking to be considered for the RAS can complete and return a landlord questionnaire (click on link below).
The Council will include the property on a supply list and if it is needed will contact the landlord. There is no commitment by either party until a RAS contract is entered into.
Further Information:
Leaflets and further information may be downloaded from this site or obtained from:
RAS Unit
Wexford County Council
Carricklawn
County Hall
Wexford
Phone 053 9196635/9196636
Email: rasunit@wexfordcoco.ie
