Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018
33. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will amend the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017 to require landlords to test for radon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19872/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, recognises that quality rental accommodation is critical to the success and sustainability of the residential rental sector and its attractiveness as a long-term accommodation option for households.
A key commitment in the Strategy was to review the regulations governing minimum standards in rented accommodation, to bring them into line with modern requirements. That review has been completed and on 27 January 2017, the then Minister signed the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017. These regulations focus on tenant safety and include new measures covering heating appliances, carbon monoxide and window safety. With very limited exemptions, these apply to local authority and voluntary housing units as well as private rented residential accommodation.
All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the regulations. Responsibility for enforcement rests with the relevant local authority.
The purpose of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017 is to provide a basis standard for decent, safe and secure accommodation. Policy measures relating to radon detection and remediation are primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. At this stage, I have no plans to amend the regulations to introduce mandatory radon testing in rented accommodation but I will keep the matter under review.
