Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
487. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties which are registered with the Residential Tenancies Board in each local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22054/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra488. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of landlords that have been prosecuted in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in each local authority area for failing to register their properties in which those properties are occupied by tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22055/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
On 1 July 2019, the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended) expanded the regulatory role of the RTB. Since July 2019, the RTB can proactively monitor the rental sector and investigate and sanction landlords who engage in certain breaches of rental law, including the none-registration of tenancies. An important aspect of this regulatory role is that the RTB can commence investigations both on information received from members of the public as well as by using open source data and data available to the RTB, as outlined in the legislation. If a landlord is found to have committed a breach, a sanction can be applied ranging from a formal written caution to a fine of up to €15,000 and/or costs of up to €15,000.
My Department does not collect the data sought, however the Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
