Vol. 515 No. 3
233 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to review the legislation requiring landlords to register their property with all relevant local authorities and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6093/00]
Responsibility for the enforcement of the Housing (Registration of Rented Houses) Regulations, 1996, lies with the local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to put in place the necessary arrangements for their effective implementation. I am anxious to see full compliance with the regulations and in this regard my Department has urged local authorities to take all available measures necessary to ensure that landlords comply with the regulations. Local authorities have also been advised that they should have procedures in place to provide for prompt and effective follow-up action in relation to any inquiries, complaints or breaches of the regulations.
I am pleased to note a continuing increase in the number of houses being registered. In 1998 a total of 23,296 houses were registered. This figure had increased to 26,111 by September 1999.
I have no plans to review the current regulations in advance of any recommendations which may emerge from the work of the Commission on the Private Rented Sector.
