Remedial works begin on Cork council homes that have lain idle since being built two decades ago

Remedial works have commenced on three local authority owned properties in Glanmire that have lain idle since being built in the mid-2000s.

Earlier this year, The Echo revealed that three properties in the Copper Valley Heights private housing estate have never been occupied.

The homes were originally under the ownership of Cork County Council, but following the city boundary extension in 2019, they should have been transferred to Cork City Council.

Last month, a spokesperson for Cork County Council said the delay in transferring them was due to a legal dispute relating to a developer going out of business, and a charge on the property.

They said that while work was ongoing to remove the charge and transfer the homes, in the interim, their legal team had put in place a licence agreement with the city council that would allow them to take possession, refurbish, and let the units.

Work was required to bring them up to a standard that would allow them to be lived in, including on the floors, which were unfinished.

Labour’s John Maher asked at Monday’s council meeting for an update on the three empty homes and was told these works have now commenced.

He was told by the council’s acting director of housing, Adrian Quinn: “Cork County Council remain the owners of these properties presently.

Endeavouring to resolve legal issues

“The county council are actively endeavouring to resolve final legal issues with title, and the formal disposal of the properties to Cork City Council is awaited, subject to resolution.

“Cork City Council has commenced remedial works on the properties, in anticipation of formal disposal, having entered into a licence agreement with the county council to take possession and prepare the properties for use and occupation.”

Mr Maher told The Echo the response is a step in the right direction.

“I will continue to work with officials to get these houses on the Choice Based Letting system and get people living in them,” he said.

“Three empty houses is a sin, especially in a housing crisis.

“Bureaucracy and red tape needs to be thrown in the bin and families living in these houses as soon as possible, even if we allow them to be lived in while we sort the bureaucracy and legal issues around these homes.

“I’ll keep working with council officials to get these homes lived in.”