Cork County Council is sending out a clear message of support to individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID 19 outbreak, in respect of payment of housing rents, housing loans and commercial rates. Council staff have been responding to many calls and queries with regard to payments in recent days and would like to reassure concerned members of the public that the staff and services are in place to react promptly as the situation develops.
Cork County Council, HAP/RAS tenants seeking a rent reduction, due to loss of earnings or employment due to COVID-19, should scan or post confirmation of reduced income from either their employer or the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to Cork County Council. HAP/RAS tenants can email hap@corkcoco.ie or post to HAP/RAS, Housing Section, Floor 4, Cork County Council, Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 R2N. Cork County Council tenants can contact rentassessment@corkcoco.ie or post to the Rent Assessment Unit, Cork County Council Offices, Kent St., Clonakilty, Co. Cork, P85 X375.
Cork County Council Housing Loan borrowers seeking a reduction or freeze on mortgage repayments due to loss of income relating to Covid 19, should direct their queries to the Housing Loans Collection Unit on (021) 4285262, email housingloanscollection@corkcoco.ie or by post to Housing Loans Collection Unit, Floor 5 Extension, County Hall, Cork, T12R2NC.
Any commercial ratepayers that have had to temporarily close or significantly curtail operations during the COVID-19 response period should contact Cork County Council immediately in relation to any rates payments falling due up until the end of May. Ratepayers experiencing difficulties are strongly encouraged to contact their Area Collector (contact details are on the 2020 rate bill) to discuss options and arrangements or alternatively Cork County Council’s Collection Office on (021) 4285252, email collection@corkcoco.ie or by post to Collection Office, Floor 6, County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 R2N. Ratepayers that can continue to pay their outstanding local authority rates should continue to do so in the normal way.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Ian Doyle spoke of the Councils response:
“These are generally difficult and worrying times for members of the public and financial strain only adds to these concerns. I am really pleased to see Cork County Council adapting and responding so quickly in implementing these new measures to alleviate some of these issues for members of our community. It is an extraordinary time for everyone, the implications for business across the county have been huge, I welcome anything that can be done to lessen this hardship.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added:
“The key message to any concerned business or individual is to make prompt contact with the relevant section of Cork County Council, we would like to reassure the public that we will continue our history of engagement on a case by case basis, to provide assistance and guidance to all of our tenants, borrowers and ratepayers in this unprecedented and ever evolving situation.”