Vol. 526 No. 3
300 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has published draft legislation to extend protection awarded to people in rent-controlled dwellings under the terms of the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act, 1982; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26637/00]
The Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act, 1982, confers a right to retain, as a tenant, possession of a formerly rent controlled dwelling for the lifetime of the person who was the tenant at the commencement of the Act – 26th 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 continues to 25 July 2002, subject to a minimum tenancy period of five years, even where this may extend beyond that date.
I am conscious of the implications for successor tenants of these provisions of the 1982 Act and my Department is currently reviewing the extent to which tenants may be affected. In this regard, local authorities are undertaking a postal survey of tenants in order to establish a more detailed profile of those remaining in the sector.
