Where an AHB acquires units for social housing under Part V, the tenancy relationship is between the tenant and the AHB who manages the properties. The local authority has responsibility for ensuring the AHB are providing social housing to the appropriate standards set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. The AHB has responsibility for ensuring that all such tenancies are registered with the Residential Tenancies Board, and that the protections provided for in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004-2020 are provided as appropriate. Tenants have recourse to the Dispute Resolution processes provided for in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004-2020.
When it is proposed that a social housing applicant will be allocated a unit with an AHB, a tenancy interview takes place where the applicant is advised of all relevant information in relation to the proposed tenancy and pre-tenancy training takes place before the tenancy commences. Tenants are typically made aware of all facilities available to them, as well as their rights and obligations, and matters such as the keeping of pets are covered. Where Part V units are acquired in a development that contains ancillary facilities on the campus, access to such facilities is not generally covered by a social housing tenancy. Access to services and facilities outside the social housing tenancy are not a matter for my Department.
