044-9332119
You are Here: Our Services > Housing > Apply for Housing - Options > Rental Accomodation Scheme
Under RAS Westmeath County Council negotiates availability contracts with landlords for the use of their properties for medium to long term use whereby the Council will enjoy exclusive nomination rights to the property which is used to provide accommodation to those who have been in receipt of Rent Supplement for at least 18 months and who have a real, long term housing need which they cannot meet from their own resources. In return Landlords do not have to collect rent or fill vacancies and will be guaranteed prompt payment each month by the Council for the duration of the contract, even if properties are vacant.
In the interest of good estate management, detailed and comprehensive background checks are carried out by the Council on all potential RAS tenants. The RAS tenant may avail of the opportunity to live in top quality accommodation in a private estate with the state contributing towards the rent. The security of tenure and protections offered by the Private Rented Tenancies Board make living in RAS accommodation a realistic and attractive medium to long term housing choice.
RAS is beneficial to the Landlord, the Tenant and the Local Authority. Incentive for Landlords: Guaranteed medium to long term, bankable income stream payable in advance by EFT from a state agency without having to collect rent, fill vacancies and the Council carries out thorough background checks on all prospective tenants.Brochure RAS & Leasing for property owners 2012
Incentive for Tenants:
Secure tenure, good quality accommodation in private estates available on meduim / long term basis with the state paying the bulk of the rent and the tenant may take up full time employment without losing their state rent subsidy.
The biggest advantage for rent supplement recipients in transferring to RAS is that they may return to fulltime employment, thus eliminating the poverty trap that was caused by the rules of the rent supplement regime. The rent is assessed in accordance with the Council's differential rent scheme.
Incentive for Housing Authority:
An additional accommodation stream and control over all Social Housing options in the administrative area.
The core principle of RAS is that the Landlord and Tenant relationship remains between those parties and the Landlord retains responsibility for insurances, for the management and maintenance of the property and all furnishings, fittings and equipment and for addressing ASB.
RAS will drive tax compliance, tenancy registration and an improved standard of accommodation in the private rented sector as full compliance with the law in all matters is a prerequisite for Landlords wishing to participate in RAS.
RAS also affords the Local Authority the opportunity to control tenure mix and to promote social integration.
For further information please contact 044 9332090/2163/2119 or email. Register your interest in RAS Online Contact Information: Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) Unit, Westmeath County Council, County Buildings, Mullingar, Telephone:
