Housing Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022

Tuesday, 26 July 2022

Ceisteanna (743)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

743. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to allow local authority social rental tenants to access the Residential Tenancies Board, which would align these tenants with the rest of the rental sector tenancies, which include private landlords and approved housing body tenants; and the reason for the continued different treatment of local authority tenancies in contrast to those of private landlord and approved housing body tenancies. [41278/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Residential Tenancies Acts cover tenancies in the private rental sector. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 amended the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and brought of Approved Housing Body tenancies under the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board.

The Housing Acts 1966 to 2019 govern local authority social housing tenancies. Local authority tenants can avail of the Customer Complaints Procedure in place in all local authorities regarding any issues they may have in dealing with their local authority related to their housing situation.

Following the making and processing of any such complaint, if a local authority tenant still considers they have been adversely affected by a local authority's action, or lack of action, which they consider unfair or unreasonable, they may make a complaint to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can examine complaints about how local authorities carry out their everyday executive and administrative activities. These can include complaints on delays or failures to take action.