14 February 2007

Environment

 Private Rental Sector

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether a system of inspection could improve standards in the private rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Ahern):
All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant housing authority.

In September 2006 I announced a comprehensive Action Programme to promote improvement in standards of private rented accommodation and work on this is progressing. A key objective of the Action Programme is to achieve more effective enforcement of the regulations. Local authorities have been asked to prioritise action to improve enforcement through a planned and strategic approach and increased funding is being provided to them for this purpose which will, in future, be related to enforcement activity.

As part of the Action Programme, the Centre for Housing Research is also carrying out a study of measures to promote improvement in private rented accommodation standards, including good practice guidelines to assist local authorities in their functions relating to the private rented sector.