The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 1993, oblige landlords of rented houses to ensure that they comply with certain minimum standards, including their structural condition. The regulations require that all out-offices, yards and forecourts within the curtilage of the building containing the house and all boundary walls, fences and railings be maintained in good repair. Local authorities, who are responsible for the enforcement of the regulations, have been urged to take all steps open to them to secure compliance with their provisions.
Under the Planning Act, 1963, planning permission is required when a house is converted into flats. Works to the exterior of a structure which affect its external appearance in a way which is inconsistent with the character of the structure or of neighbouring structures also require planning permission. Local authorities will have additional powers to prevent out of character changes to structures which are part of our architectural heritage, when the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999, comes into force on 1 January 2000.