Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
263 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has had contact with local authorities regarding landlords complying with regulations regarding registration of rented dwellings; and if the numbers registered as rented dwellings with local authorities are in line with the number of rented dwellings as established by the last census. [18319/04]
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There has been regular contact between my Department and local authorities in relation to their functions under the regulations applying to the private rented sector. Local authorities have been urged in this connection to be proactive in carrying out their statutory obligation to enforce the regulations.
The current level of compliance by landlords with the registration regulations is low. This is evidenced by the fact that on 31 December 2003 there were 26,982 units registered by 17,445 landlords with local authorities, whereas the 2002 census indicates that there are 141,459 private rented dwellings in the State. I am confident that there will be a very significant improvement in enforcement under the new tenancy registration system provided for in the Residential Tenancies Bill 2003.
When the Private Residential Tenancies Bill is enacted, the 1996 registration regulations will be repealed and landlords will be required to register details of their tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board, which will proactively pursue compliance. One way in which unregistered accommodation will come to the attention of the board will be if the tenants refer disputes pertaining to such tenancies to the board. Unlike tenants, landlords must be registered to avail of the board's dispute resolution service.
A double fee will apply to late registrations and penalties for convictions for non-registration are being increased. Conviction for an offence under the legislation, including contravention of the registration requirements, will carry a fine of up to €3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both, along with a daily fine, of up to €250 for continuing non-compliance.
