Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
1305. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether a review of tenants' rights is required, in view of the details of the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24871/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of measures have been introduced in recent years with the objective of improving security of tenure for tenants. Security of tenure provisions under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2016 apply once a tenant has been in occupation of a dwelling for a continuous period of 6 months, with no valid notice of termination having been served during that time. Section 34 provides that a landlord must state a reason for the termination in any notice served, in accordance with the grounds for termination set out the Table to section 34 of the Act.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. While it is not clear what type of tenancy is involved in the situation outlined, the RTB replaces the Courts for the vast majority of landlord and tenant disputes which come under the remit of Residential Tenancies Acts. Section 56 of the 2004 Act provides that, where there is an abuse of the termination procedure in section 34, a tenant may bring a complaint to the RTB on the basis that they have been unjustly deprived of possession of a dwelling by their landlord. Further information from the RTB is available at www.rtb.ie/tenants and through the RTB helpline - Lo-call on 0818 30 30 37.
In April this year, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2018 as a basis for priority drafting of an urgent Bill to give legislative underpinning to a number of specific actions outlined in the Government’s Strategy for the Rental Sector and the review of Rebuilding Ireland. The main purpose of the Bill is to reinforce the operation of the rental sector, through addressing a number of key tenant protection issues, provide greater transparency around rents, as well as enhancing and strengthening the powers and functions of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), particularly in enforcing tenancy law.
