Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
283. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of the targets for minimum standards in rented accommodation inspections for each year since 2019, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10809/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of minimum standards in rented accommodation inspections carried out in each year since 2019, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10810/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.
The minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations.
Responsibility for the enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. In the years 2019 and 2020, inspection targets of 15% and 20%, respectively, of all registered private residential tenancies were set. Housing for All sets a target of 25%, i.e. from 2021. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available by my Department to local authorities this year to help them meet their private rental inspection targets.
Annual data in respect of the level of inspections and enforcement carried out by each local authority is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/
While 2022 inspection data in respect of some local authorities is still currently being validated by my Department, circa 49,000 inspections of private rented dwellings were undertaken last year- this represents the highest number ever recorded in a single year.
