Locked Out report finds no properties within the HAP thresholds in Cork city; TDs call for action

TDs in Cork’s North Central have called on the government to lay clear what is being done for renters in Cork city and its suburbs.

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould and People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Mick Barry were speaking following the publication of the latest Simon Communities Locked Out Report.

The study shows that in September, there were 44 properties to rent on average in Cork city and its suburbs with no properties available within the HAP thresholds.

The most recent Locked Out of the Market snapshot study was undertaken over three consecutive days, on September 18, 19, and 20.

The report tracks the number of properties advertised to rent within the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage (DHLGH) Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limits.

In Cork, details were gathered from Daft.ie for Cork city centre and its suburbs.

The study showed that in eight of the 16 study areas across Ireland, there were no properties available to rent through HAP in any household category within standard or discretionary HAP limits, including in Cork city centre and Cork city suburbs.

In Cork city centre, there was an average of 23 properties to rent each day, while in the suburbs, there was an average of 21 properties available to rent over the course of the study period.

Monthly rents in the city centre ranged from €1,600 to €2,000 for one-bedroom properties, €1,587 to €2,600 for two-bedroom properties, and €1,580 to €3,458 for three-bedroom properties available over the three-day study period.

In the suburbs, there was only one one-bedroom property during the study which was €1,450.

Rent for two-bedroom properties ranged from €1,439 to €2,229 and rent for three-bedroom properties ranged from €1,438 to €2,800.

According to Daft.ie, average rents in Cork County rose 8.8% in the last year and now sit at €1,410 (Q2 2023).

Deputy Gould described the study’s findings as one which “paints a stark picture” for families and individuals searching for accommodation.

“While the government were busy preparing a budget that will do nothing to help ordinary renters, people in Cork city and suburbs were faced with barely any available properties and rents ranging from €1,450 to €3,458. That is far beyond the means of most ordinary workers and families,” he said.

There was only one one-bedroom property in the city suburbs in September. This leaves young people or those who don’t need additional bedrooms, forced into house shares or, as is becoming the norm, to stay in their parent’s bedrooms for years on end.

“Without a single property within the HAP threshold for the entire month of September in Cork city or suburbs, it couldn’t be any clearer that this government have failed on housing.” Speaking to The Echo about the study’s findings, People Before Profit–Solidarity TD for Cork North-Central, Mick Barry, said: "No government which allows rents on a one-bedroomed property in Cork city centre to be somewhere between €20,000 and €25,000 a year deserves to stay in office.

“Rent controls which actually cut rent should be introduced. If landlords don't like that and exit the market, the State should buy the properties and provide accommodation at reasonable rates".