Wicklow County Council Delays Rent Scheme Until November Amid Strong Protest Voices

Start date moved from 3 October to 7 November as councillors prepare to vote on a motion to halt the changes

Wicklow County Council has postponed the introduction of its new Differential Rent Scheme by five weeks, following a wave of complaints from council tenants over the size of the increases they have been notified of.

The council said Chief Executive Emer O'Gorman made a decision at a special meeting of the full council to "defer the effective date" of the scheme. It was due to take effect on 3 October and will now start on 7 November 2026.

The new rents will apply to all social housing tenants, tenants on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and tenants of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS).

Tenants report steep rises

Hundreds of tenants contacted councillors after receiving letters setting out their new rents. Many reported increases of between 50% and 100%, and some said their household income had not changed since their last review.

Sinn Féin TD John Brady said in a statement: "Many people's rents have seen dramatic increases, despite the household income remaining static" since the previous rent review.

Arklow Sinn Féin Councillor Warren O'Toole said: "By the Council's own figures, 87% of tenants are facing rent increases." That figure has not been independently confirmed.

Bray Councillor John Ward said his office "has been overwhelmed with calls, emails and messages" from tenants. An online petition opposing the increases had gathered almost 1,200 signatures ahead of the special meeting.

Council defends review

The council has defended the new scheme, pointing out that it is the first rent review since 2019. It has said some tenants can expect significant changes because household circumstances and income details may not have been updated since the previous review.

Cathaoirleach, Social Democrats Councillor Caroline Winstanley, raised particular concerns about vulnerable tenants and asked for a detailed analysis of the rent changes ahead of the special meeting.

Independent Councillor Peir Leonard, chair of the Arklow Municipal District, has also criticised the rent review process.

Vote on Monday

Sinn Féin has served a Section 140 motion, which would allow the council's 32 elected members to direct the executive to halt the increases.

It will be considered at a council meeting at 2pm on Monday 5 October. A protest by tenants is planned outside County Buildings at 1pm beforehand.

Sinn Féin claims the postponement is a direct result of its campaign. The council has not said what prompted the deferral.

Councillors in South Dublin recently used the same mechanism to compel their chief executive to suspend planned rent increases there. Critics of such motions argue that Section 140 cannot be used to direct a council on policy in general terms.