Vol. 505 No. 7
84 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason the number of landlords registered with local authorities at the end of 1998 stood at 13,221 down from a peak of 16,000 in June 1998; the plans, if any, he has to radically improve the compliance with registration of rented accommodation by landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14726/99]
Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the Housing (Registration of Rented Houses) Regulations, 1996. It is a matter for each authority to put in place arrangements to ensure their effective implementation. I am concerned to see an improved level of compliance with the provisions of the regulations and, to this end, authorities have been regularly urged by my Department to take all steps open to them to secure compliance by landlords with the regulations. In particular, they have been advised that they should have established procedures for prompt and effective follow-up action in relation to any inquiries, complaints or breaches of the regulations. I understand that some authorities are reorganising their inspection arrangements with a view to increased enforcement. For instance, in the case of one major authority, additional staffing resources have been assigned to enforcement duties in a recent initiative aimed at securing greater compliance with the statutory requirements relating to private rented accommodation, including registration. I am keeping the operation of the regulations under review.
Regarding the number of landlords registered at the end of June 1998 and at the end of 1998, the apparent reduction in the figures is due, mainly, to the fact that the statistical data received from local authorities relating to the end of 1998 excludes landlords where the annual registration fee for their rented dwellings had not been paid up to date.
