Cork Renters Urged to Know Their Rights as Threshold Launches Awareness Campaign

National housing charity Threshold has launched its annual Own Your Rights campaign today, aiming to educate private renters across Cork about their legal protections and the free support available to them. The campaign comes as new figures reveal the charity has supported over 3,200 Cork households at risk of homelessness since January.

Now in its fifth year, the campaign marks International Tenant's Day with a series of initiatives designed to empower renters, including podcast episodes answering frequently asked questions, a social media information drive, and appearances by Threshold advisers on regional radio stations.

The timing is significant for Cork. Out of 3,275 households the charity worked with in Cork County and city so far in 2025, 54% were at risk of homelessness due to reasons including tenancy terminations. Threshold's intervention has prevented 477 Cork households from entering homelessness this year by providing free confidential advice, mediating between tenants and landlords, and representing renters in Residential Tenancies Board proceedings.

Nationally, Threshold has worked with 18,175 Irish households in 2025, with 53% facing homelessness risk. The charity has prevented 2,461 households from losing their homes across the country.

Cat Clark, Campaigns Officer at Threshold, said:

"The Threshold Own Your Rights autumn campaign is one of our flagship campaigns, designed to make private renters across Ireland more aware of their rights and of Threshold's role in supporting them. Given the challenges in the current rental market, we want to make sure that private rental sector tenants understand that protections are in place and where they can go for support if needed.

We would encourage all renters to reach out to our team of advisers with any questions they may have, even if they haven't previously been in touch, and to know that we are here to support them in difficult renting circumstances. We want renters to know they are not alone."

The campaign features podcast episodes hosted by Megan Kenny, Assistant Manager for Threshold's Mid-Western Regional Office, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The two-week initiative will also include interactive polls on social media platforms to test renters' knowledge of their rights.

The charity highlighted one Cork case where their intervention proved crucial. Niamh, a mother to a child with special needs who had recently undergone serious surgery, received an unexpected eviction notice from her landlord. Threshold adviser Ciara, Assistant Manager in the Southern Region, identified that the notice was not legally compliant as it lacked a statutory declaration, allowing Niamh to remain in her home temporarily.

When a second, valid notice was later issued, Threshold supported Niamh by contacting her local council to prioritise her family on the housing list and advising her of her rights throughout the legal process. Working with Threshold's guidance, Niamh successfully negotiated with her landlord to remain until she secured social housing.

For Cork renters facing difficulties or with questions about their tenancy rights, Threshold's helpline operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm at 1800 454 454. Web chat support is also available at www.threshold.ie/get-help/.