Vol. 375 No. 2
asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the Government's policy to stimulate the private rented housing sector in open market conditions, the plans, if any, there are for a framework of regulations designed to ensure the orderly operation of this market with a view to avoiding exploitation and risk to tenants and an abuse of public funds by unscrupulous landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
57.
asked the Minister for the Environment, the plans, if any, he has to extend by way of amending legislation the role of the Rents Tribunal to provide for regulation and arbitration for private rented dwellings not covered by the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act, 1982 in order to ensure that a system of equity and justice prevails in the private rented housing sector with a particular regard to one and two person dwelling units in our urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.
The Government recognise the importance of the private rented housing sector and seeks to encourage the creation of conditions favourable to the provision of such accommodation. Stringent regulatory measures and controls are liable to discourage investment in private rented housing and ultimately lead to a reduction in the supply of such accommodation. Increasing the supply of private rented accommodation is the most effective way of ensuring an orderly rents regime. Conversely, any measures that discourage the provision of accommodation are likely to lead to an imbalance between supply and demand and are not in the best interests of tenants.
Statutory regulations were made in December, 1984, prescribing minimum standards in private rented housing formerly controlled under the rent restrictions Acts. These minimum standards applied from 1 April 1985, except where a tenancy agreement had been fixed by the District Court, the Rent Tribunal or by agreement before that date in which case the standards have to be met from 1 January, 1988, or from the date of application for a review of rent by the tribunal, whichever comes sooner. From 1 January next, the regulations which are enforced by housing authorities will apply to all formerly controlled dwellings. In addition, many housing authorities have adopted by-laws for private rented accommodation under section 70 of the Housing Act, 1966, governing registration and physical standards for multiunit rented dwellings; the authorities also have wide powers under sections 66 to 69 of the Housing Act, 1966, to deal with unfit houses.
I have no proposals at present to extend the role of the Rent Tribunal.
