Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
722. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on introducing regulations to allow individuals who rent or buy an apartment to have a pet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27742/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (the Acts) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the residential rental sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.
The Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions. Dwellings covered by the Acts include the private rental sector, the cost rental sector, the approved housing body sector and student accommodation (including tenancies and licences in student specific accommodation). The Acts make no reference to animals and it would be inappropriate for them to prescribe matters relating to the keeping of pets.
Generally, it is “house rules” agreed between a landlord and a tenant at the start of a tenancy that might deal with keeping pets and landlords should make sure their tenants are familiar with these house rules by including them in the tenancy agreement, which cannot impose obligations that are inconsistent with the Acts. House rules must not be in contravention of legal rights and protections afforded to landlords and tenants including privacy, data protection, equality legislation, etc.
