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THIS WEEK THERE was some good news for people searching for a mortgage.
Ulster Bank announced plans to cut their rates for both new and existing customers.
There was also some discussion about the placement of a homeless hostel in central Dublin – and whether the cost of the project was justified.
The Big Movers
Cheaper mortgages
This week Ulster Bank announced it would be cutting both their fixed and variable rate mortgages.
It follows cuts to mortgage rates by Permanent TSB and the Bank of Ireland last month. While these two banks are only extending the savings to new customers – current customers of Ulster Bank will be able to avail of their new rates.
The bank’s standard variable rate will be cut by 0.20% while its fixed rates will be reduced by between 0.41% and 0.24%.
Irish Water
As could be expected, there was much confusion in the run up to the Irish Water registration deadline.
People were uncertain whether failing to register in time would result in a fine. The Minister Alan Kelly came out and said that Monday’s deadline should more be seen as an “administrative date”.
He said that while there is no fine in place for those who do not register – they will be issued with the default charge of €260.
Nimby-ism?
There was some controversy on social media after a Dublin Fine Gael councillor referred to homelessness as a ‘buzz issue’ at a council meeting.
It came after the council voted in favour of forty-person homeless hostel to be placed in Dublin’s Georgian quarter. Councillor Kate O’Connell explained via Twitter why she would not be supporting the move.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, O’Connell explained the reasons for her vote were purely economical.
Under Construction
- With ongoing confusion about who exactly will be responsible for the collection of water charges – a landlord group has called for water services to be cut off where tenants don’t pay.
- This week TheJournal.ie spoke to one couple who saw their rent go up 51% in one month.
- The gates of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house went up for sale for €177,000.
- New government figures showed that a large number of families are still becoming homeless.
- Close to half of all household septic tanks failed their inspections – mostly due to a lack of de-sludging.
- Is this the grooviest house in Ireland? Take a look and see for yourself…
- Applying for a mortgage, but haven’t a clue? We asked the banks where to begin.
Des res
With things starting to take on a more prosperous look around the country – maybe now is a good time to look back on the Celtic Tiger-era. In a new exhibition by Johnny Savage – the discarded buildings of the time are captured in a series of eerie twilight photographs.
The buildings the Celtic Tiger abandoned
The buildings the Celtic Tiger abandoned
The buildings the Celtic Tiger abandoned
The buildings the Celtic Tiger abandoned
The buildings the Celtic Tiger abandoned
The buildings the Celtic Tiger abandoned
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And finally…
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… as the old expression goes. That certainly applies to the buildings that have most recently been given a Grade 2 listing by English Heritage. The buildings across the UK are office blocks constructed between 1964 and 1984.
On making the office blocks listed buildings, English Heritage has said, “office buildings shape the face of our cities and today’s listings have ensured that this area of architectural achievement is recognised for future generations.”
Read: After weeks of boredom, the banking inquiry could get very interesting today…
Also: Are your local roads ‘in shite’? That may be fixed soon…
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