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FAQs

Is Circle Voluntary Housing Association a charity?

Yes. Circle VHA was established in 2003. It has approved housing body status from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. It has charitable status fromRevenue and is affiliated to The Irish Council for Social Housing. It is a legally incorporated company limited by guarantee. It has certified status from the Housing Finance Agency.

Who does Circle VHA house?

Circle VHA provides housing for both families and single persons who are approved housing applicants of the local authority where they reside.

How do I apply for a Circle VHA home?

To apply for a Circle VHA house, you must already be on your local authority housing list. As a vacancy arises, Circle VHA will contact the local authority in the area where a void or new property is located. The local authority then provides nominations to Circle VHA, they determine who is eligible for housing. The applicant is then interviewed by Circle VHA after completing our housing application form. Circle VHA and the local authority then decide on whether to offer the applicant the unit of accommodation.

What age do you have to be to apply for a Circle VHA home?

All applicants for a Circle VHA home must be over 18 years of age.

I am currently at the risk of becoming homeless because my landlord is seeking repossession of the property. What can I do?

Firstly, contact Threshold at 01-6786096. The landlord must provide in writing the reasons for seeking repossession of the property. The duration of your lease or tenancy agreement will determine the notice period that you are entitled to.

I am currently at risk of becoming homeless because the rent has been increased and I cannot afford the increased rent. What can I do?

Under recent legislation, rents are to be fixed for a two year period. If your rent was increased in 2015, your landlord is not entitled to increase it again until 2017. The landlord must also give, in writing, 90 days’ notice of the proposed rent increase. Again, seek advice from Threshold at 01-6786096.

Separately, if you are under threat of becoming homeless, contact the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive on the Free Phone Number 1800-454-454. This phoneline is staffed Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm. The DRHE will advise you and may be able to assist you with an increase in your rent allowance, which may prevent you becoming homeless.

How can I get on the Homeless List? I have had to move into my parents’ house as I have nowhere else to live. What can I do?

It is essential that you contact the local authority in the area in which you are living and register with them to become an approved housing applicant. Once registered, your situation will be assessed by the local authority. If you are already registered with a local authority and are an approved housing applicant you need to inform them of your change of circumstances as to where you are now living.

If my nomination is successful, will I be given a house or a flat?

The type of Circle VHA home you are awarded depends on your circumstances, family size, mobility etc. Each case is assessed on an individual basis by Circle VHA personnel, in consultation with the housing officer of the local authority in question. It will also depend on the type of property available in the area in which you wish to live.

What happens to my home if I die?

Where there is a joint tenancy, and one tenant dies, the tenancy automatically remains with the surviving tenant. Where a sole tenant dies, Circle VHA has the right to take back the property. Circle VHA will consider granting a new tenancy to a member of his / her immediate family where the family member used the dwelling as their normal place of residence for a minimum period of the preceding six months. However, succession is not an automatic right. Each case is considered in terms of the current housing need of the applicant and the size of the existing unit of accommodation.

Can I buy a Circle VHA house?

No. The current Government policy is that all approved housing association tenants cannot buy their property; the dwelling is for rental only.

Can a local authority tenant transfer to a Circle VHA property and vice versa?

Yes. The existing tenant will need to source another tenant who may wish to transfer to their home. The local authority will then need to be notified. It is a requirement that neither the local authority nor the Circle VHA tenants have existing rent arrears. The potential transfer applicant is then interviewed by Circle VHA. A Garda check in undertaken by the local authority. The transfer has to be mutually agreed between both Circle VHA and the local authority before the transfer can take place.

Can I transfer from a Circle VHA dwelling in one area to a Circle VHA dwelling in another area?

Yes, but a valid reason for wanting to move needs to be supplied. Contact your Tenancy Services Officer to discuss the matter further. A transfer request must also be made in writing. The tenant will be placed on the transfer list if their appeal is accepted. The feasibility of the transfer will depend upon units of accommodation being available. The tenant will also need to have no rent arrears. It is more difficult to transfer from a Circle VHA unit in one local authority area to a Circle VHA unit in another local authority area. The local authority in the area you wish to transfer to also has to approve such a request.

What do I do if I am not happy with Circle VHA’s service?

Firstly, contact your Tenancy Services Officer and explain to them the reasons for your dissatisfaction. Clarify with them what your problem or concern is and the responsibility of Circle VHA as your landlord for the issue of concern. In most cases we will aim to resolve your cause of concern. If you are still unhappy with our service response then make a formal complaint by filling out our Complaint Form. Your complaint will then be investigated and responded to in writing. Further to that, if you are still not satisfied you can make a complaint to the Residential Tenancies Board, which will investigate the matter.

How much rent do I pay and how often?

Rent is assessed and paid weekly. If you are unsure about the status of your rent payments, please contact your Income Management Officer so that you can be updated on the current status of the rent account. Circle VHA is legally obliged to send out a quarterly rent payments report and an annual rent payment report.

Will my rent increase?

Your rent will change if your income changes. You are legally obliged as per the conditions of your tenancy agreement to inform us of any change in your income, this can be done by completing the CVHA CIS 2020 and returning the completed form to your Income Management Officer. Any time there is a change in your income, your rent will be reassessed.

What if I pay my rent late or have financial difficulties?

Under the tenancy agreement, Circle VHA tenants are required to pay their rent on time. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact your Income Management Officer, who will advise you of your options.

Tenant Assistance

  • Ukraine: How you can help
    • Request Form
  • Pre-Tenancy
    • Pre-Tenancy Questionnaire
    • Housing Application Form
  • Tenant care & responsibilities
  • Repairs and maintenance
    • Report a repair
  • Policies
  • Rent
    • Online rent payment
      • Payment failed
      • Payment successful
    • Contact Us
  • Service charges
  • Confidential Income Statement
  • Get involved in your local community
  • Pets
  • FAQs
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Feedback and Complaints
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
Tenant Handbook
Contact Us
Report a Repair

Circle VHA, Phoenix House, 32-34 Castle Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Phone 01-4072110 Fax 01-4792356
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