Home News Community ‘Grim picture’ for people renting in Portlaoise

‘Grim picture’ for people renting in Portlaoise

There is a “really grim picture” for people in the rental market in Portlaoise as none are affordable for those in receipt of state housing benefits.

The Simon Community of Ireland says that all 29 homes advertised in the town last month were above the limits of rent supplement and housing assistance payment (HAP).

The latest Locked Out of the Market report from the Simon Community finds that the average rent for a two bedroom property was 37% more than rental supplement/HAP limit for a couple or one parent with two children.

The report found that rent increased by 12.4% between July and September of this year.

The average rent for a two bedroom property was €834.

Rent

There was an average of 29 properties available to rent in Portlaoise over the November 2017 study period, an increase of 6 properties when compared to August, 2017 and an increase of 7 properties when compared to November 2016.

Speaking on Midlands 103, Niamh Randall described it as a “really grim picture” in terms of the housing rental market, particularly for those on low incomes and those in receipt of housing benefits”.

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The LaoisToday 2017 Annual is now on sale in bookshops and newsagents around the county – this is where you can buy it