asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the failure by Dublin Corporation to register more than 11 per cent of Dublin landlords in the last four years, he will consider taking steps to enforce registration of all landlords, either by increasing the penalties for non-registration or by directing local authorities when prosecuting for non-registration to seek the maximum fines permissible under the bye-laws.
Written Answers. - Registration of Landlords.
452.
The bye-laws adopted by Dublin Corporation under section 70 of the Housing Act, 1966 do not require all landlords of private rented housing accommodation to register with the corporation, as the Deputy seems to imply. Article 6 of the bye-laws provides for the registration of the owners of rented houses in which there are more than two dwellings.
I understand from the corporation that, to date, 1,075 owners have been registered in respect of 6,949 dwellings. In the absence of a census since 1971, it is not possible to establish the total number of owners who should be registered under the bye-laws. As recently as July last, I impressed on the corporation the importance of taking all practicable steps to ensure full compliance with article 6.
In these circumstances, I do not propose at present to introduce amending legislation to enable the penalties provided for in section 70 to be increased. The prosecution of offences is primarily a matter for the local authority and it would be inappropriate for me to give a direction along the lines mentioned by the Deputy.