Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
427. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a landlord requires their tenant to run a dehumidifier 24/7 to prevent growth/spread of mould, whether the landlord or tenant is liable to pay for the associated energy costs. [39727/23]
View answerThe minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, natural light, fire safety, ventilation and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations.
Regulation 8(1) requires that every room used, or intended for use, by the tenant of the house as a habitable room shall have adequate ventilation. Dehumidifiers are not specified as a requirement under the Regulations.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. Housing for All sets a target for the inspection of 25% of all registered private residential tenancies. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available by my Department to local authorities this year to help them meet their private rental inspection targets.
My Department has produced a video and leaflet with the aim of educating the general public on the importance of proper ventilation in the home. They are available here:
• www.gov.ie/homeventilation
• www.gov.ie/aeráiltí
