Annie Anderson – Looking back on the joys of being a tenant

Next up, is Annie Anderson who lives in Carmeen Drive, Rathcoole and was a Housing Executive tenant for nearly 40 years before she bought her home.

She has fond memories of her time as a tenant and praised the work of maintenance officers who helped then to support the upkeep of her home.

“When we moved in here I was leaving my grandmother’s house and we had very little and I had to leave my stuff in my granny’s house.

“I enjoyed being a tenant because officers did a good job at helping to keep the house the way it should have been kept.

“If your hedge was higher than it should have been you were told to get it cut and damaged windows were fixed.

“I never had any trouble getting anything done and any work that was carried by the Housing Executive I could never have faulted it.”

Annie sits on the Housing Community Network for Rathcoole and has been a member since its formation.

She enjoys a good relationship with her neighbours and says Carmeen Drive has a close-knit community.

“We had some laughs and street parties back then too for the kids and we shared the baking among us.

“We had a party at Easter, a party for the good weather and a party in July and before the kids went  back to school again.

“I always liked where I lived and I was always lucky to get good neighbours and I wouldn’t like to live anywhere else and my family all live in Rathcoole,” she said.

Watch our interview with Annie.