'Nightmare' as mother-of-two faces eviction in Buncrana after 140% rent increase

A Buncrana-based single mother-of-two has said a situation that has led to possible eviction later this month because of a massive hike in her rent has become a “nightmare.”

Jade Houten, a clerical officer in the disability office of the HSE, was given a 90-day notice of rental increase in May, so if she does not agree to a monthly hike from €520 to €1,240 - some 140 per cent - she will face eviction. They have lived in the rented accommodation at Carrick Fern, Cockhill, for almost 10 years now.

That notice period will end on August 22 and Jade feels she has no option of paying the new rate, which would therefore leave her and her two children, who are aged eight and 17, without a roof over their heads.

“It’s a nightmare,” she told DonegalLive. “There are just no affordable houses out there.”

“We’re just looking to see if anyone knows of any houses to rent, or coming up for rent, in or close to Buncrana. Our rent is being increased by 140% from €520pm to €1240pm, which is not affordable or manageable for us as a single-parent/one-wage household.

“Myself and the kids need to look at moving as soon as possible. Any heads up on anywhere anyone knows of, that isn't seeking rates on par with large towns like Letterkenny would be much appreciated.”

Landlords are permitted by law to increase rents and Jade has stressed she is speaking out on the matter in the hope a solution can be found for herself and her own family, as well as others. A Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) is a designated area where rent increases are capped, although Buncrana is not listed as one of those, although the availability of housing has become scarce because of the defective blocks situation and housing of Ukrainian nationals due to the ongoing war.

Rents in an RPZ cannot be increased by more than 2% per annum pro rata or if it is lower, by the increase in the rate of inflation as recorded by the Harmonised Index of the Consumer Prices. This restriction applies to new and existing tenancies in RPZs unless an exemption applies.

“I applied for social housing but due to my income and the Working Family Payment I receive, it means that I’m not eligible," Jade added. "With rents escalating, maybe this threshold and rent reviews need to be looked at, especially with the situation here. The situation is shocking and I’m sure that others are in, or might be in, the same situation as we are. It’s a nightmare.”