178 households in the region have used the service in the last 12 months
This week marks the sixth anniversary of Threshold’s work in Mayo, having launched in the region on June 17th 2015. In the last year alone, the national housing charity has dealt with 178 cases in Mayo.
Of the 178 households who contacted the Western Regional Services for advice and advocacy, 80 were occupied by single people, 27 by couples and families occupied 65 of the homes. In this 12-month period, Threshold’s housing advisors dealt with three illegal evictions, of the 3 cases, 2 evictions occurred with no resolution and the electricity supply was cut off in the third case, this was resolved due to Threshold’s intervention.
Threshold have found that the most common issues faced by tenants renting in Mayo, similar to the rest of the country relate to tenancy terminations, which accounted for over a quarter of all queries from households in Mayo, 14 cases of tenancy terminations where a notice was served was on the grounds of sale, while 12% of queries related to an increase in rent.
Threshold is a frontline advice and advocacy service for people with housing problems and those at risk of homelessness. The service is free, independent and confidential and provides help for a range of issues including:
- Providing advice to tenants on their rights and negotiating and advocating on their behalf where necessary
- Preventing homelessness where tenants have been served notice or face an immediate threat, for example, illegal eviction
- Assisting tenants with financial concerns such as rent increases, rent arrears, deposits, and accessing social housing supports
- Representing tenants at dispute resolution services
- Helping tenants to look at their housing options and make a planned move where their current accommodation is not working out
Western Regional Services Manager at Threshold, Karina Timothy commented: “We recognise the difficulties of renters young and old, who are hard-pressed to source affordable and secure rented accommodation in a market where supply is so scarce. Threshold would like to remind renters living in areas outside of rent pressure zones, that our team of housing advisors are ready to assist families and individuals who may have received a rent review, and that our intervention does make a significant difference in the lives of so many. Threshold’s Mayo outreach clinic normally operates on the second Thursday of every month at Castlebar CIC, Cavendish House, Hopkins Road, Castlebar. This has been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Threshold’s helpline remains available Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm at 1800 454 454, advice is also available via a live webchat service at www.threshold.ie for any renter in need of advice or support.
