Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
295. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding tenants housed under the rental accommodation scheme; if it is the case that when a RAS lease is terminated it is the responsibility of the tenant to find alternative accommodation or if such responsibility rests with the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20006/14]
View answerAccommodation provided under the Rental Accomodation Scheme (RAS) is governed by the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended. The Act provides the main regulatory framework for the private rented residential sector and provides for security of tenure. The grounds upon which a tenancy in the private rented residential sector may be legally terminated are clearly set out in the 2004 Act. It also specifies minimum obligations for both landlords and tenants under a tenancy.
In accordance with the terms of the Scheme local authorities retain the responsibility to source further accommodation for a RAS household should the dwelling that the household is living in become unavailable through no fault of their own. Local authorities, with the cooperation of the tenants, will make every effort to source alternative accommodation as quickly as possible. In seeking replacement accommodation a local authority will attempt to source a suitable alternative within or close to the area in which the tenant is residing. However that may not always be possible because of scarcity of suitable properties available to let in the areas affected. In all cases, not just where a tenancy is under threat, there is no bar on RAS households from sourcing alternative accommodation themselves, if they so desire, as long as the local authority is satisfied that the accommodation meets the needs of the household and conforms to standards for rental accommodation which are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008.
