TENANCY TERMINATIONS CONTINUE to be the main cause of renters being placed at risk of homelessness, according to a new report by housing charity Threshold. 

The charity’s quarterly impact report said that of the new households that contacted them from July to September, 2,160 were at risk of homelessness – an increase of 22.8% from the same time last year.

They said that, as in previous quarters, most of these renters were at risk of homelessness because their landlord wished to sell their home. The majority of cases are ongoing.

“Unfortunately, however, 97 households were unable to stay in their home or secure alternative housing and so had to access emergency homeless accommodation,” the report said.  

Threshold supported 9,652 households with issues regarding their tenancy between July and September, comprising 12,408 adults and 7,640 children. 

The charity’s advisers prevented 872 households – comprised of 1,150 adults and 809 children – from becoming homeless through intervening to keep them in their homes or supporting them to find alternative housing. 

The report said tenancy termination remained the top issue for Threshold’s clients in that same period, accounting for over one-in-three queries raised with them.

Advice on a lease, accessing social housing, standards and repairs were also key concerns raised by renters who contacted the charity. 

CEO John-Mark McCafferty said the report highlights “the need for continued work to protect renters across Ireland”.

“Threshold has seen the number of clients at risk of homelessness jump by over 20% year-on-year,” McCafferty said.

Tenancy terminations continue to be the main factor in placing these renters at risk of homelessness.

He encouraged any renters facing difficulties to contact Threshold.

The charity’s report also highlighted the need for basic protections for licensees, which can include people renting from head tenants in sublets, those living in housing provided by an employer, people living in retirement homes or mobile homes and people living in digs.

Threshold said they are generally not protected by the Residential Tenancies Acts and have no guaranteed rights, leaving them vulnerable to sudden evictions, poor standards of upkeep of accommodation and a lack of recourse when issues arise.

The charity is calling for urgent policy change, legal protections and increased public awareness for licensees.

The report sets out 13 policy recommendations, including the introduction of minimum notice periods, a central licence registry and tailored Rent-a-Room standards.

Threshold’s national advocacy manager Ann-Marie O’Reilly said they have seen a growing array of license-style arrangements in the rental sector in recent years “which is a cause for concern”.

“We need to ensure that basic protections are in place for all renters, including licensees,” she added.