Fitness for Habitation?: JSA & RA

[Worried62]

Is there a requirement that the dwelling of an applicant of Job Seekers Allowance, or Rent Allowance, must meet certain fitness for habitation standards prior to approval for one, or both of these allowances?

This might seem a peculiar enquiry, but to clarify, would it preclude an applicant for JSA or RA, if, for example, the electricity to the dwelling had been cut off due to payment difficulties?

Are there any well-known circumstances where fitness for habitation would likely be an issue

Or would fitness for habitation be a matter confined, perhaps, only to the remit of a Local Authority?

 

[Dermot]

Your post is very unclear. Who owns the house. Are you in it at the moment. Who caused the electricity to be cut off, etc. etc.etc. A lot more details required before anyone can give you a comprehensive answer.

 

[Worried62]

Your post is very unclear. Who owns the house. Are you in it at the moment. Who caused the electricity to be cut off, etc. etc.etc. A lot more details required before anyone can give you a comprehensive answer.

I don't need a comprehensive answer..... just a general one, thanks anyway.

Does the dwelling place of an applicant, for JSA or RA, have to meet any standards regarding fitness for habitation, according to the Departmet of Social Protection?

 

[Worried62]

Let me simplify this.

1). If you want to apply for JSA, do DSP investigate whether you have running water, electricity, and / or gas?

2) If you want to apply for Rent Allowance, do the DSP investigate wherther you have running water, gas and/ or electricity?

 

[gipimann]

One of the qualifying conditions for Rent Supplement (Rent Allowance is an entirely different scheme) is that the property being rented is suitable for a person's needs. This is based on a legislative condition that

"the residence is reasonably suited to the residential and other needs of the claimant"

If there were no utilities such as you have described, that could be grounds for refusing Rent Supplement.

 

[Dermot]

If you are availing of rent allowance from DSP your accommodation will most likely be inspected and the property will need to comply with basic minimum standards as described in the link provided.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/e...d_minimum_physical_standards.html?tab=related

 

[Worried62]

Ah, yes, Rent Supplement.

Thank you, gipimann, and Dermot, for the information.