Most of Marillac’s income comes from rent charged to its tenants. A smaller portion of Marillac’s income comes from grants under contractual arrangements with Local Authorities.

Establishing clear policies and procedures for rent setting and rent collection together with management of rent arrears is crucial to the organisation’s financial viability which in turn helps to safeguard the future of the housing stock owned and managed by Marillac.

Rental income collected from tenants is used to manage the organisation and secure the repair and maintenance needs of housing stock as well as put aside reserves for long term maintenance.

Rent can be calculated in different ways which depends on how the tenant’s home was originally purchased and funded. Marillac in the main operate two different types of rent schemes: a CAS Economic Rent or a Local Authority Differential Rent Scheme.

Tenants who live in properties funded under CALF and P&A are charged rent according to that Local Authority’s Differential Rent Scheme. There are links below to the current Differential Rent Schemes in operation by Marillac. These rents are means tested according to the person’s income and then calculated according to the formula determined by the Local Authority in question.

If CAS (Capital Assistance Scheme) funding was used to purchase or build the tenant’s home, then this rent scheme will operate for tenants. Once Marillac determine what the CAS Economic Rent should be, which is based on what it costs to repair and maintain the dwelling plus set aside reserves for future long-term maintenance, it must then be approved by the Local Authority. This rent will be significantly higher than the average Differential Rent discussed above. Tenants may apply to the Department of Social Protection for Rent Supplement or to the Local Authority for a CAS/RAS payment to help them pay their CAS Economic Rent. This is also a means tested payment and calculated according to the person’s income.

While generally CAS Economic Rents remain fixed from year to year, Marillac reserves the option to seek an increase in the CAS rent charged if it is determined that the current CAS rent is not meeting the necessary repair, maintenance and sinking fund obligations to maintain the dwelling. The Local Authority must approve any request to increase the CAS Economic Rent.

Ultimately, all Marillac tenants pay a similar rent level which is related overall to their income. This is how landlords like Marillac differ from private landlords who charge rent according to the market. It’s important to remember however, that the higher your income, the higher your portion of rent payable to Marillac is likely to be.

Rent is payable directly into Marillac’s rent account. The IBAN for this account will be provided to the tenant when they commence their tenancy. Tenants can set up a standing order or lodge directly to the rent account in person at the bank or online. Marillac does not accept cash or cheque payments when collecting rent. In the future tenants will have the option of signing up to a Direct Debit payment method. Tenants should also allow a few business days for their rent to reach the rent account. We would advise tenants to lodge rent or set up standing orders around 25^th/26^th of the month.

Marillac carries out annual income assessments for all tenants on Differential Rent Schemes. This process begins in late Spring every year and new rents are then applied from July/August having assessed the tenant’s new rent based on their latest income information.

Because CAS Economic Rents are fixed rents and not based directly on the tenant’s income, those tenants are not obliged to participate in income assessments. It is important to remember though that if the CAS tenant is in receipt of financial rent support from the Department of Social Protection or the CAS/RAS section in the Local Authority, the tenant may be subject to their income assessment to determine that the tenant is getting the right level of financial rent support.

Paying rent is a condition of your tenancy agreement. Rent cannot be withheld in the event of any dispute over repairs for example. Rent is charged monthly and becomes due on the first day of the month for that calendar month. Tenants have the duration of the whole month to pay their rent. If however their rent remains unpaid on the last day of the month, their rent account will go into “Arrears”.

Sometimes people can run into financial difficulty. If tenants are having problems with paying their rent and paying it on time, Marillac staff will always be available to discuss this with the tenant and work towards a solution. The most important thing is to keep in contact with Marillac staff if these issues arise.

It is important to note that continued and sustained non-payment of rent could threaten your tenancy and Marillac can refer the matter to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for adjudication.

It is very important to remember that all tenants and their rent accounts will be dealt with the strictest of confidence and will only be discussed with the tenant directly or a support person appointed by them.

Sometimes service charges or management fees may apply to some tenants depending on the development or area in which they live. If this is the case, Marillac will give the tenant and those who support them plenty of advance notice. Where possible, Marillac will try to pay a portion of the service charge/management fee to reduce the burden on the tenant. This will depend on each dwelling and the scheme where it is located. Marillac however will not acquire properties in developments where they service charges/management fees are very high.

Rent statements will be issued to tenants on a quarterly basis or at their request. Sometimes rent statements are required for processing other applications like a medical card or or personal loan. In January of each year a full statement for previous rent year will be sent to all tenants.

For any rent queries or information on your rent account or rent balance, please contact us on rents@marillachousing.ie or 01 6856005.