Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2004
176 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the projected income in 2004 and in 2005 by the Private Residential Tenancies Board from registration fees charged to landlords; the projected operational costs in both years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24915/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra
As the Private Residential Tenancies Board is not yet fully operational, it is difficult to provide reliable estimates at this stage. Expenditure will depend to a large extent on the number of disputes referred to the board's dispute resolution service. Expenditure in 2004 is considered unlikely to exceed €0.25 million. Full year operational costs in 2005 are estimated as likely to be in the region of €2.5 million.
Registration fee income will depend primarily on the number and timing of tenancy registrations. It will also be influenced by a range of factors the likely effect of which cannot be quantified in advance. These include the duration of tenancies, the turnover of registrations in respect of a particular dwelling, the availability of a reduced composite fee for certain multiple registrations in respect of a single property and the incidence of late registrations, which attract a double fee.
177 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Private Residential Tenancies Board registration fee discriminates against student accommodation which requires at least two registrations in each calendar year; the plans he has to review the fee structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24916/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Under the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, each new tenancy coming into existence in respect of any particular dwelling must be registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board. This applies to any tenancy of a private rented dwelling, including dwellings let to students. Where a particular student tenancy is continued from one academic year to the next, re-registration does not arise. In this regard, student representatives have emphasised the need for students, depending on their circumstances, to have access to improved security of tenure in common with other occupants in the private rented sector.
However, where student accommodation is re-let, no more than two registration fees are payable in any 12 month period. Where accommodation is let for holiday purposes, as frequently occurs during student vacations, there is no requirement to register and therefore no further payment of a registration fee arises. Accordingly, I do not consider that a review of the statutorily based registration fee structure in this matter is warranted.
178 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the Private Residential Tenancies Board collecting such detailed information from landlords; the intended use of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24917/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra
The particulars to be provided with a tenancy registration application are prescribed in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, based on the recommendations of the Commission on the Private Rented Residential Sector. I am satisfied that the requirements are reasonable and appropriate for the operation of the legislation.
The Private Residential Tenancies Board's registration database will be of key importance to the operation of its dispute resolution service, especially with regard to disputes over rents in excess of market levels, tenancy terminations and notice periods. It will also be an important source of information to the board in the performance of its statutory functions of providing information, research and policy advice on the private rented sector. Up to date information is essential for the development of informed policy on this segment of the housing market. The registration data collected by the board will, for example, enable it to identify the size of the market, the type of dwellings and rent levels and trends for different dwellings and locations.
