Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1209. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the effectiveness of communications campaign commissioned by the RTB to make landlords and tenants aware of their new obligations and responsibilities as set out in the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8963/20]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. With effect from 27 March 2020, new emergency measures were introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period. Tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances, during this period. Initially, these emergency laws will apply for a period of 3 months, but they may be extended if the Government considers it necessary.
My Department, in collaboration with the RTB, recently published a Guidance Document on Covid-19 supports for landlords and tenants that sets out the emergency rental measures and income and other supports available to tenants and landlords during the emergency period. The Guidance document is available on the RTB's website at:
https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/general/COVID_Update_Guidance_Document_final.pdf
and a list of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed and is also available on the RTB's website at:
https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/Comms%20and%20Research/FAQs_on_Emergency_Legislation_Final.pdf.
The RTB has a communications plan in operation to inform stakeholders and the general public of the emergency legislative measures for the rental sector during the COVID-19 emergency period and to provide up-to-date and accurate information on its services. The communications plan involves the delivery of a multi-media, integrated communications campaign which utilises social media, digital and radio advertising, the RTB website (including its webchat service) and stakeholder engagement to leverage the support of other organisations in disseminating the necessary public information as widely as possible in a short time period.
In the four weeks from the commencement of the emergency period, there was a 40% increase in activity on the RTB's website as well as significantly increased usage of its webchat service.
COVID-19 related content was the most frequently visited page on the RTB's website - www.rtb.ie - during April and May. Calls to the RTB customer service centre during this time are primarily driven by the public seeking information on the emergency legislation. The RTB is in regular contact with over 300 stakeholders with news and updates on the emergency legislation announcement, which included distributing the Government Guidance document on the emergency legislation, the associated Frequently Asked Questions document, as well as updates on the RTB’s customer contact support and dispute resolution services during Covid-19 emergency. The RTB continues to help stakeholders by addressing any queries that they have on the emergency legislation. The RTB is currently in the process of finalising a plan to roll out webinar information sessions and virtual Stakeholder Forums to help further those living and working in the rental sector during this time.
I am satisfied that the RTB communications campaign continues to be effective in helping landlords and tenants to stay up-to-date on the impact of the emergency measures for the rental sector.
