Private Rented Accommodation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2009

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Questions (895, 896, 897)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

994 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the late fee clause under the Residential Tenancy Act 2004 and provide for an exemption from this requirement to landlords who through no fault of their own are being penalised by the Private Residential Tenancies Board in cases when registration forms were submitted in ample time by landlords but the delay rested with the Board in processing the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34017/09]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)

Under the provisions of sections 134 and 135 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended, a landlord has one month from the tenancy commencement date to apply to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to register a tenancy. If the application form submitted is incomplete it will be returned by the PRTB and the late fee will apply unless it is resubmitted within the month. I understand that currently some 30% of tenancy registration applications submitted to the PRTB by landlords are incomplete, placing a heavy additional administrative burden on the PRTB.

The registration fee for a single tenancy is €70; a tenancy registration submitted outside of the one month period is required to pay an additional fee of €70. In no instance where a tenancy registration form has been properly completed and submitted within the one month period is any additional fee charged.

Finian McGrath

Question:

995 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the mechanisms which have been put in place by him or in conjunction with other Departments to establish an independent supervisory or appeal system for tenants of approved housing bodies which present claims of harassment, intimidation or elder abuse by staff and other tenants. [34052/09]

Finian McGrath

Question:

996 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will verify that there is no independent appeal or monitoring systems for complaints of poor service standards, bad or derogatory treatment, arbitrary possession proceedings or other adverse situation from tenants of approved housing bodies, and his proposals to improve this situation. [34053/09]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 995 and 996 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions No's 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510 and 512 of 7 July, 2009. The consultancy report on the strategic review of the voluntary and co-operative housing sector, referred to in that reply, has now been completed and was published in September 2009 for consultation progress.