Republican News · Thursday 28 February 2002

Landlords should accept rent allowance

Carrickmacross Sinn Féin Councillor Matt Carthy has called on all landlords to accept rent allowances granted to those on low incomes and on social welfare. Speaking at the February meeting of Carrickmacross Town Council, Carthy said that the government should legislate that the acceptance of rent allowances be compulsory.

"It is not easy to receive rent allowance in the first place," said Carthy. "Those who do get it know that it is simply a help rather than a solution to all their financial difficulties. However, there can be nothing more frustrating than for somebody to be entitled to rent allowance to find that their landlord won't accept it.

"I am calling on the government to introduce legislation to mandate landlords to accept rent allowance. In the meantime, I ask that landlords themselves accept the payment for the sake of their tenants."