UPDATE: Midlands apartments for sale - tenancy terminations will go ahead

RESIDENTS renting apartments in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath are facing an uncertain future after confirmation that their tenancies will be ended.

TDs in Offaly and Westmeath have intervened amid deep concern that the sale of the 76-unit Riverview apartment complex will make many tenants homeless.

The agent for the sale of Riverview told the Tullamore Tribune today (Friday, January 12) that 33 termination of tenancy letters have been issued and that talks had taken place with local authorities and other relevant parties.

“It's not going to change the fact that the notices are issued. The notices are issued and we're going to see them through. That's a given,” said Clement Herron, agent for the owner, property development company Remcoll.

He said Remcoll had invested in the apartments and a commercial unit 12 years ago and had now instructed him to sell.

“Ten years was the plan. We've now run 12 years and our client has spent a sizeable chunk of money upgrading the facility. They're lovely apartments, really nice quality.”

READ: https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/tullamore-tribune/1393093/residents-in-midlands-apartment-complex-fear-eviction-as-landlord-says-it-s-for-sale.html

A mix of private tenants and renters in receipt of the housing assistance payment (HAP) are affected by the sale and Mr Herron said various options were available to them, including the tenant in situ purchase scheme and other social housing alternatives.

“I can't try and manage everybody's tenancy or everybody's lifestyle or what they're going to do next. Our job is to manage the asset and say to our client we're maximising the asset. It's also very important to take on board that this was an investment that was made as a 10-year investment, a property investment, a property fund.”

The apartments might be sold as a “job lot”, or in lots and a “few chunks”.

“There's one or two apartments that we're probably going to market individually. If somebody wants to buy one we'll let them buy one.”

He added that talks with Westmeath County Council had been “meaningful” and “calm” and he thanked the elected representatives and council officials.

“They've been good communicators and we're getting on with everything and it's constructive.”

Offaly Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen (pictured below) said on Friday he has written to Offaly County Council in relation to the tenants in the Willow House building in Riverview who have applied for houses in Offaly.

Deputy Cowen said he understood Westmeath County Council is to engage with the owners with a view to purchasing properties “in order to accommodate those tenants that are also Westmeath Co Co applicants.”

The TD said an even greater number of tenants are Offaly County Council housing applicants.

His letter to County Council director of service Jean Ryan said: “I would therefore ask if Offaly Co Co would liaise with their counterparts in Westmeath with a view to a joint engagement with the property owners. Such an engagement would be with a view to assisting both Westmeath & Offaly applicants rather than discriminating against either.

“It is a unique situation with the county boundary/border so close and these properties particularly aiding many who cannot afford Tullamore rent rates.

“I would also ask that Department of Housing be informed of this case with a view to maybe also involving/liaising with some Housing Associations. They may have an interest in the properties and could therefore play a role in resolving the difficulties associated with the respective counties’ obligations despite the crossover of applicants/tenants between Offaly and Westmeath.”