Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Questions (546)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

546. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he considers section 4 (1) c of Statutory Instrument 534 (2008), namely the exemption of local authorities from housing standards for rented houses regulations, to be appropriate to rented properties; the reason this should be the case; the grounds on which it can be justified that local authorities do not have to live up to the same standards of rental as all other landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4420/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 . Local authorities are not, in the main, exempt from these regulations. The regulations apply to all rental accommodation with the exception of holiday homes, or accommodation provided by the HSE or an approved body containing communal sanitary, cooking and dining facilities, or demountable housing such as mobile homes provided by a housing authority. It is this latter exemption that is provided for by Section 4(1)(c) of the 2008 regulations.