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 (R/S) for more than 18 months and
In need of long term housing.
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 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 RAS however, the landlord and tenant retain all duties and responsibilities under Landlord and tenant law.
A sample RAS contract can be downloaded here
Implementation
1. Tenants:
RAS is compulsory for persons eligible for RAS.
Eligible Tenants are interviewed. RAS is explained to them as are the benefits and responsibilities under RAS.
Tenant Questionnaire
RAS Tenant Checklist
RAS Tenants pay a weekly Differential Rent to the Council based on nett assessable household income.
RAS Differential Rent Form 2009
RAS Tenants consent to the cancellation of their R/S which then becomes payable to the Council.
Rent Supplement cancellation consent form
2. Landlords:
When the Council is satisfied that the property is suitable for the long term housing needs of the tenant and complies with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 & 2009, an offer of RAS is made to the landlord. Rent is then agreed as well as the contract type the landlord wishes to enter.
Landlords must submit documentation as set out on the attached Landlord Checklist.
Vacant Properties
Landlords with vacant properties seeking to be considered for RAS can complete and return a landlord questionnaire.
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.
Landlord Questionnaire
Landlord Checklist
RAS Benefits
RAS offers a number of important benefits to Tenants and Landlords.
For Tenants these are:
Greater security of Tenure
Can earn without loss of Rent Supplement
Removal of Poverty trap
Alternative choice of long term housing
The Benefits to Landlords are:
Guaranteed Income
Payment for Void periods (contract dependent)
No letting or Rent Collection Costs.
Security of income for duration of Contract
Damage deposit option.
Further Information:
Leaflets and further information may be down loaded from this site or obtained
from the
RAS Unit, Wexford County Council,
County Hall, Wexford.
Phone 053 91 76635 / 76636.
Email: rasunit@wexfordcoco.ie
RAS Statistics to end 2009
No. of Eligible RAS Tenants: 1293
Total No. in RAS 273
No. of RAS Tenants in Private Rented Sector: 178
No. of Ras Tenants in Voluntary Housing Sector: 95
