Latest news with #Threshold


Buzz Feed
26-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
25 Target Items To Upgrade Your Space For Under $100
A metal wire wine rack to add instant charm to your kitchen. It ensures you'll have enough bottles to keep all your guests on cloud wine. Promising review: "This rack works great in a small space. Very pleased." —Southern MimiPrice: $30 A chic 16"x20" black and gold–hued landscape print that imparts sophistication in any room of your home. This beauty will look incredible above your dresser or desk. A faux potted olive leaf arrangement so you can bring your bare coffee table to life with some fake greenery. Decorating tip: Stack your favorite books in a neat pile and add coasters to complete the look. A multi-colored, woven marble pillow that'll make your bedscape or seating area feel more chic. The muted hues of teal, blue, beige, and terracotta blend seamlessly with any color scheme, and the soft cotton and polyester blend elevates your comfort. A wood-finished wavy accent table to display potted plants, framed photos, or stacked books. The scalloped skirting is a striking focal point to an otherwise snooze-fest space. This seashell-shaped nonskid rug transforms your otherwise boring bathroom into a seaside paradise. The warm, muted colors and fun shape work well for both maximalists and minimalists. A stunning ceramic table lamp from Threshold, designed with Studio McGee, sets the perfect ambiance wherever it's placed. The chocolate brown base and empire-shaped shade are ideal for anyone who loves the cottagecore aesthetic. A decorative coiled rope basket because it'll bring calm to the chaos of a messy room. Throw all your stuff in this basket, scoot it under the bed or desk, and — ta-da! — you have a spotless room. A cedar foliage wreath or garland brings the beauty of nature indoors. Hang it on your door or drape it over your banister. Best of all, you don't need a green thumb to enjoy this lush piece year-round. A framed door mirror featuring a timeless profile to make you and your space feel like a million bucks. This lightweight mirror can effortlessly be styled horizontally or vertically. A Threshold mid-century metal wall décor that'll make you feel like you're stepping into an art museum and not your home, and have all your friends asking, 'Where did you get that?' This quick-dry ribbed towel set will make your bathroom feel like a luxurious spa. Available in five rich colors, these towels are crafted from 100% terry cotton, which feels ahhh-mazing against your skin. A wavy taper candle holder from Threshold that can be placed on your coffee table, accent table, or bookshelf. Made of glass, this decorative piece looks great with taper candles or on its own. An affordable yet luxurious microfiber quilt that's a must-have for any person who wants to get cozy without breaking the bank. Available in five shades, this quilt complements every décor preference. A mini faux-wood table lamp to bring a soft, warm glow to your workspace or bedside table. It's the perfect item to curl up next to with a good book. A round upholstered storage ottoman from Room Essentials, because it is a practical addition to your bedroom, living room, or home office. Sturdy and stylish, this storage unit provides ample space for toys, bedding, and other household items. Or! A fun and funky mushroom storage ottoman that's a smart way to keep your dorm organized. Small enough to seamlessly fit into any-sized space, the blue or gold upholstery adds a pop of color to liven up your room. A cube bookshelf is a snazzy way to organize your dorm or apartment. Constructed of sturdy wood, this piece provides a stylish home for your books, magazines, or records, and will stand the test of time. A Pillowfort kids' checkered bathmat that'll absorb water like a champ *and* make your bathroom the cutest room. The bright colors and 100% tufted cotton fabric ensure little feet are kept cozy while bringing fun style to your bathroom décor. A folding acrylic accessory organizer to keep your necklaces, rings, and bracelets neatly organized while conserving space. With two doors, hanging pegs, and a bottom shelf, this organizer puts an end to losing your favorite jewelry once and for all and looks so good on a dresser. Promising review: "I purchased this to upgrade my existing earring storage. I love that it folds but expands when opening. You can store earrings by metal or color. It shipped securely and nothing was broken. I do suggest taking your time to remove the cardboard on the inside of the case. I will probably use this strictly for earring and ring storage." —LonkayPrice: $39 A round woven seagrass charger to transform your kitchen into a seaside cottage. The natural shades and woven textures blend well with any table setting. An eight-pack of waffle dish rags that'll take kitchen cleanups to the next level by absorbing spills like a pro. Crafted from premium waffle-weave cotton and available in seven colors, this dish towel helps keep even the messiest cooks' spaces pristine. An embroidered mountain throw pillow, because it brings the breathtaking views of nature indoors. Featuring an embroidered mountain landscape and soft, tranquil colors, this pillow is a breath of fresh air, even in cities. A rustic round gold-tone tray flaunts rustic charm and subtle glamor. Great for use as a table setting year-round, this decorative tray is also a stylish way to display plants, memorabilia, and more. And some cloud bookends from Cloud Island that'll bring a sweet style to any room. Constructed from sturdy, durable wood, the cloud cutout is sure to bring a smile to your face.


Irish Examiner
24-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Housing charity says it has prevented almost 1,000 households from becoming homeless since April
The housing charity Threshold says it has prevented almost 1,000 households from becoming homeless since April alone. And it says tenancy termination remains the biggest issue facing renters, accounting for just over a third of all the queries it has dealt with in the second quarter of this year. The details are contained in its impact report for the period April to June of this year, published on Thursday. It shows Threshold advisers have supported more than 8,500 households, including over 11,400 adults, and more than 7,000 children. Of the new households that contacted the charity since April, 1,595 were at risk of homelessness, and the charity helped the occupants of 951 households to stay in their home or find a new home, where possible. Tenancy termination accounted for 35% of all queries, with other queries including advice on leases, accessing social housing, and general rent queries. Single-occupant households accounted for 40% of households helped, with one-parent families accounting for 20% of the cases. Threshold's national advocacy manager Ann-Marie O'Reilly said while the charity was still concerned about the strains on renters, she was encouraged to see people contacting them for support and guidance around their rights as private-sector renters. 'Our Q2 impact report highlights the need for continued work and advocacy to support private renters across Ireland, even with the updated rent pressure zone [RPZ] legislation, which extends the RPZ rent controls across the nation,' she said. Since June 20, 2025, all counties have been classified as an RPZ, meaning all tenancies benefit from the cap on rent increases — rent cannot be raised by more than 2%, or the rate of inflation if lower, every 12 months. Any rent increase must be issued through an official rent review, with a formal notice provided to tenants at least 90 days in advance. In the areas newly designated as RPZs, landlords must wait 24 months from the date of the last rent review before issuing another. This must also be delivered as a formal physical document, as informal methods such as text messages or phone calls do not meet the legal requirements. Ms O'Reilly said the national extension of the RPZ was welcome, and provided crucial protection to an additional 41,000 households. 'We now want to ensure that all renters know that they are protected by the 2% rent increase cap and encourage renters to get in touch if they have any questions, worries, or concerns,' she said. 'We support the revised National Development Plan, given the importance of delivering housing and infrastructure to support housing development. 'We will continue to engage with the Government and other stakeholders in the coming months on further proposed changes to seek the best outcome for the rental sector as a whole.' Threshold's service is available by phone, Monday to Friday, 9am-9pm at 1800 454 454, or online at

Irish Times
24-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Majority of calls to housing charity concerned about tenancy being ended
Over half of all queries to housing charity Threshold were from people concerned about having their tenancy terminated, the charity's latest report has found. Some 35 per cent of all queries to the charity from April to June 2025 concerned termination, while 17 per cent were more general queries around that event. The majority who contacted Threshold were working professionals , with 46 per cent stating wages as their main source of income. Threshold is a national housing charity that advises and advocates for tenants experiencing housing problems. The charity's second quarter of 2025 impact report shows that more than 8,500 households were supported by its advisers in the last quarter, including more than 11,400 adults and in excess of 7,000 children. [ Safeguards for tenants who live outside Rent Pressure Zones to be brought forward Opens in new window ] Of the new households that contacted the charity since April last, 1,595 were at risk of homelessness. Threshold helped 951 families to stay in their homes or find a new home in this time. The charity welcomed the extension of Rent Pressure Zone rules countrywide and said it wanted all renters to know their rights regarding this. [ This is a housing strategy written by Flann O'Brien Opens in new window ] At the end of June, all of the Republic was classified as an RPZ , meaning rents in current tenancies cannot be increased by more than 2 per cent, or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Landlords in the new RPZ areas must wait 24 months from the date of the last rent review before reviewing the rent again. After this, increases can be applied every 12 months. The report references a woman who contacted the charity and was spared a large rent increase by the expansion of the RPZ rules. [ Housing RPZs: What will a new rental regulation system mean for renters? Opens in new window ] Her landlord wanted to increase her rent by 62 per cent, something she was unable to pay. But on the day she rang Threshold for advice, the announcement of the nationwide application of the rules meant that increase was no longer possible. She had not received an official notice of review, and so any rent appraisal from then on would have to follow the rules. While she was relieved to hear this news, she remains apprehensive about damaging her relationship with the landlord. 'You're stuck in a situation of, 'other people are willing to pay this, so you have to pay this or go'. That's what it feels like the options are,' she told the charity.


Irish Independent
24-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Charity prevented 950 households from becoming homeless and supported more than 7,000 children in past three months
The national housing charity, which released its Q2 2025 impact report today, supported over 8,500 households from April to June this year, including 11,400 adults and more than 7,000 children. Meanwhile, tenancy termination remains the biggest issue that renters face, with one in three (35pc) queries related to this, similarly to previous quarters. Of the new households that contacted the charity since April, nearly 1,600 were at risk of homelessness. Threshold's National Advocacy Manager, Ann-Marie O'Reilly, said: 'While Threshold continues to be concerned about strains on renters in 2025, it is encouraging to see people reaching out to us for support and guidance around their rights as private sector renters." "Our Q2 impact report highlights the need for continued work and advocacy to support private renters across Ireland, even with the updated Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) legislation, which extends the RPZ rent controls across the nation," she added. Threshold welcomed the nationwide extension of the RPZ to all counties on June 20, which means that all tenancies benefit from the cap on rent increases. Ms O'Reilly said: 'Threshold welcomes the extension of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) nationally, providing crucial protection to an additional 41,000 households." "We now want to ensure that all renters know that they are protected by the 2pc rent increase cap and encourage renters to get in touch if they have any questions, worries or concerns. 'We support the revised National Development Plan, given the importance of delivering housing and infrastructure to support housing development. "We will continue to engage with the Government and other stakeholders in the coming months on further proposed changes to seek the best outcome for the rental sector as a whole," she added.


BreakingNews.ie
15-07-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Market rent ‘resets' may undermine security of tenure plans, Threshold says
Market rent resets will undermine the Government's own security of tenure proposals, a housing charity has said. Threshold has also predicted that the rental market will become 'far more expensive' within five years if current trends on tenancy turnover continue. Advertisement It said current rates of churn in rental properties would leave the majority of tenants paying market rents within that time period. Last month, rent pressure zones were extended nationwide as part of a series of sectoral reforms brought by Housing Minister James Browne. The system, which caps rent increases at the rate of inflation or 2 per cent, whichever is lower, is in place until the end of February, when further proposals are slated to take effect from March. New tenancies created from March 1st onwards will be set at market value and offer six-year minimum rolling tenancies. Advertisement At the end of the six-year tenancy, the rent can be reset and put back to the market. Sinn Fein's Eoin O Broin (Niall Carson/PA) Large landlords, defined as having four or more tenancies, will be banned from carrying out no-fault evictions for tenancies beginning from March. A small landlord can end tenancies via a 'no fault eviction' in limited circumstances, such as economic hardship or to move a family member in, but if they do that, they cannot reset the rent. Ann-Marie O'Reilly, the organisation's national advocacy manager, told the Oireachtas Housing Committee on Tuesday that the measures on rent resets could leave people 'priced out of their home or potentially priced out of their community'. Advertisement She added: 'Everyone will be paying those much higher rents. 'And while the RPZs aren't being ended on a certain day and that cliff edge scenario has been avoided, by allowing the change to happen on an individual tenancy basis, it's creating a cliff edge for each and every individual household, just at different points.' Threshold, which advocates for the prevention of homelessness, was appearing before the Committee during a session on issues relating to the rental sector. Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin asked for the charity's view on the impact the new rental sector reforms will have on tenants. Advertisement Ms O'Reilly said: 'Overall, we're very supportive of what's been proposed in regard to security of tenure and the limitation of the no-fault evictions. 'However, the proposal to allow a market rent reset at different points – in particular at the turnover of a tenancy where the tenant leaves by their own choice or if its evicted for breaching the agreement – that is a concern. 'We think that will actually undermine the entire security of tenure that is being proposed.' Ms O'Reilly said tenancies tend to turn over every three to four years, whether it is by the tenant's choice or not. Advertisement 'If we continue in that vein, probably within a very short space of time – maybe four to five years – we'll actually see the majority of rents at market rent, so we'll actually have a far more expensive rental market.' Ms O'Reilly said it was a possibility that there would be a rise in evictions of tenants who are unable to pay rents. Mr O Broin had noted that this was a trend which precipitated the creation of rent pressure zones. The president of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers disputed the claims that all tenants would be paying much higher rents. Fintan McGill said: 'I don't believe that personally, and I don't think it's right to say that everybody will pay much higher rent – I don't think that's the case. 'I think everybody will pay market rent. And whatever the market says, people will pay it.' As an example, Mr McGill told the committee that the changes may mean that rates 'may well be higher' for a tenant who is renting off a landlord since 2016 at 50 per cent of market rents. He said landlords had been discriminated against because they could not charge a 'full rent for their property'. Mr McGill also disputed that rents never going down, saying he had seen that happen in the early 2000s. 'So I don't believe that the change of this particular scenario that we're talking about after March 1st is going to change rents and bring them up. 'I think that these changes are going to be very good for a landlord.'