Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Private Rented Accommodation.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

435 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed by many people who currently enjoy security of tenure under the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act, 1982; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the provisions of those sections of the Act which afford security of tenure are scheduled to expire in 2002; the plans, if any, he has to introduce legislation to extend that provision of security of tenure to such tenants and their relatives who would be entitled under the main provisions of the Act to succeed to their security of tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21579/99]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act, 1982, confers a right to retain, as a tenant, possession of a formerly controlled dwelling for the lifetime of the person who was the tenant at the commencement of the Act – 26 July 1982 – or the lifetime of their spouse. Where a member or successive members of the tenant's family succeeded to the tenancy within 20 years of the commencement of the Act, the right to retain possession under the 1982 Act expires on 25 July 2002, subject to the tenancy lasting a minimum period of five years.

My Department is examining the implications of the expiry of the protection afforded to successor tenants under the 1982 Act and any necessary decisions will be made well in advance of the expiry of the existing provisions. In addition, it is possible that the deliberations of the Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector, which was launched on 22 July 1999 and is expected to report by 1 June 2000, may have some implications for these tenancies.