Vol. 518 No. 6
406 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to renew the protection afforded by the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act, 1982; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13148/00]
The Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act, 1982, confers a right to retain, as a tenant, possession of a formerly controlled dwelling for the lifetime of the person who was the tenant at the commencement of the Act – 26 July 1982 – or the lifetime of their spouse. Where a member or successive members of the tenant's family succeeded to the tenancy within 20 years of the commencement of the Act, the right to retain possession under the 1982 Act expires on 25 July 2002, subject to the tenancy lasting a minimum period of five years.
My Department is examining the implications of the expiry of the protection afforded to successor tenants under the 1982 Act and any necessary decisions will be made well in advance of the expiry of the existing provisions. The outcome of the Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector may have some implications for these tenancies.
