Proper standards for renters

Commitment sought: Introduction of new standards regulations for accommodation in the private rented sector

Standards of accommodation in the private rented sector have been historically poor. The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2009 are a siginficant improvement. However, much remains to be done with respect to their monitoring and implementation.

Local authorities must have sufficient resources to ensure the effective enforcement of the 2009 Regulations.

All private landlords are required to register with the Private Residences Tenancy Board (PRTB). Despite this legal requirement, and the linking of tax deductions to registration, it remains the case that a sizeable proportion of the privately rented residences in the country are not registered with the PRTB. According to the DoEHLG website there are nearly 200,000 properties registered with the PRTB (http://www.environ.ie).

Between 2002 and 2006, of the 33,644 dwellings inspected by local authorities 10,162 did not meet existing regulatory requirements. Of these units only 79 legal actions were taken. Given the minimal number of landlords against whom legal action was taken for letting dwellings that failed to meet standards, there is a need to enforce these regulations more stringently.

The MakeRoom campaign calls for:

• a well-resourced local authority inspection programme with 'spot checks' of properties based on defined risk assessment criteria
• an 'NCT for housing' - a certification system whereby a landlord must certify with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) that a property complies with minimum standards and is fit for the purpose of renting
• clear timelines and targets to eliminate substandard accommodation locally and nationally.