Ms Lucia Crimin:

We have more detail in the annual report which will be published shortly. It is quite important to recognise that the number of investigations, in and of itself, is not a measure of the success or otherwise of the RTB as a regulator. An investigation is a very particular thing under Part 7A of the Act and is laid out very precisely in terms of process. An investigation under the Residential Tenancies Act culminates in confirmation by the Circuit Court of the sanction. It is a very long process, end to end, and it is for that reason that we are now developing our compliance approach. This involves identifying all potential breaches of the Act that can be regularised and brought into compliance quickly, cheaply and easily. We would then reserve our investigation process for those very deliberate and determined rogue landlords, as Senator Boyhan described them. That makes the best use of RTB resources. As I mentioned, 109 reports of improper conduct were investigated over 82 investigations in 2023. Sometimes an investigation can cover a couple of different improper conducts. It would be my opinion that somewhere in and around 100 investigations is probably a sustainable amount for an organisation of the shape and size of the RTB with the process that is provided for in the legislation.

It is important that we build and ramp up our compliance approach in order that we are not just relying on investigations to identify and rectify potential noncompliance but have this alternative cheap, quick and effective way to achieve compliance. That is really the most effective use of our resources.