Wicklow County Council has deferred the introduction of its new Differential Rent Scheme, giving tenants an additional five weeks before the new rents come into effect.
The new scheme had originally been due to begin on 3rd October 2026 but the council has now confirmed that the effective date has been moved to 7th November 2026.
The change was announced following a Special County Council meeting, with Chief Executive Emer O’Gorman making the decision to defer the implementation date.
The council said the decision followed feedback from elected members and would give tenants a longer notice period before their new rents come into effect.
The new rents will take effect from 7th November for social housing tenants, tenants receiving Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), and tenants of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS).
The new Differential Rent Scheme brings together the two rent schemes previously operated in Wicklow and calculates rent based on assessable household income, rather than the size of the property. The approved scheme includes income from employment, self-employment, social welfare payments and pensions, subject to specified exclusions and allowances.
The council’s previously issued letters to affected tenants had stated that the new scheme would apply from 3rd October. That date has now been replaced by the new 7th November implementation date.
Wicklow County Council has also announced that its Housing Team will hold drop-in clinics where tenants can speak directly with a member of the housing team about their new rent. The dates and locations for the clinics are expected to be published later this week through its website and social media channels.
The council had previously advised tenants to contact its housing team where their circumstances or household income had changed, as these factors are relevant to the income-based rent calculation. Existing rent information also states that tenants should notify the council of changes to household income so that rent can be adjusted where appropriate.
The new implementation date means tenants now have until 7th November 2026 before the new rents take effect.
