Housing Rents and Area Based Management

The Housing Rents Section is responsible for the collection of rent on all Cork City Council rented properties. Cork City Council has over 8,600 rented properties in the city.

Rents in all houses are based on the Differential Rent Scheme as updated. Rents are calculated on the basis of household income in accordance with the scheme.

Rents are payable on a weekly basis in advance. Tenants have a variety of options open to them for paying their weekly rent:

• by Household Budget (An Post) – deduction at source from certain Social Welfare payments
• Online @ www.corkcity.ie once a PIN is obtained from the Rents Office
• in Cash Office, City Hall 
• through the Credit Union
• by cheque, postal order (no cash) through the postal system
• by Standing Order. Forms are available from any Area Housing Office

Every income coming into a household may be assessable for rent purposes. Tenants are required to keep Cork City Council informed of any change in household income or composition. For example, the following changes in circumstances would have an effect on a household’s rent:

• A person in the household gets a job/loses a job;
• A person joins the household;
• A person in the household starts to claim Social Welfare;
• There is a birth in the household;
• There is a death in the household.

Any change should be notified to the tenants Executive Housing Officer in their local Area Housing Office. Any adjustments to the tenant’s rent will be backdated accordingly. It should be noted that failure to provide household details when requested to do so may result in the application of a Notional Rent.

The way in which the rent is calculated means that tenants should be able to afford the weekly rent. If, for any reason, tenants are unable to pay the rent, they should inform their Executive Housing Officer immediately. Tenants should try to avoid allowing their rent account to fall into arrears. The sooner a tenant tackles the problem the better. The Executive Housing Officer will usually try to make an agreement with a tenant with regard to clearing their arrears. Once an agreement is made, it is imperative that the tenant adheres to it.

If a tenant refuses to come to a reasonable agreement or if the tenant does not keep to the agreed payments plan, Cork City Council will commence legal proceedings and take the tenant to Court. This can lead to eviction. Once at the eviction stage, the tenant is still responsible for all the arrears and is also responsible for the legal costs incurred.

Cork City Council has introduced Area Based Housing Management across the city in order to facilitate the de-centralisation of as many of its housing functions as is practicable. Each area consists of a number of zones, managed by an Area Housing Manager and assisted by Housing Officers. The zones were created using a weighting system based on the level of work input required for the various functions listed. The results of the methodology were benchmarked against real zones in other Local Authorities.

The housing functions being managed by the area housing offices comprise of the following:

• Rent assessment and arrears control;
• Housing allocation and transfers – the decision regarding the allocation of a tenancy rests with the Allocations Office, Municipal Offices, Anglesea Street, Cork. The prospective tenant signs up for a tenancy at the area housing office;
• Pre-tenancy courses;
• Void control;
• Tenancy breaches;
• Tenant participation.

Cork City Council has published a Tenants Handbook which provides useful information in relation to the tenancy of a City Council dwelling. Please see related files.

This office serves tenants living in Knocknaheeny, Hollyhill, Churchfield, Farranree, Gurranabraher, Commons Road.

Open to the Public:
10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Closed Wednesdays.

Telephone: (021) 4924000

This office serves tenants living in Mahon, Douglas, Togher, Bishopstown, City Centre, i.e. all city centre areas south of the River Lee.

Open to the Public: 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.  Monday – Friday.
Telephone: (021) 4924000

City Hall Office:

Administrative Officer, Housing Rents, City Hall, Cork. 

Open to the Public: 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Telephone: (021) 4924000

North West Area Office: Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny:

Telephone: (021) 4924000
Open to the Public: 10.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Closed Wednesdays.

If a tenant has any query regarding their rent, they can contact the Housing Officer to discuss the matter.

Email: housing@corkcity.ie