Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

Standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. The regulations specify requirements for matters such as structural repair, absence of damp and rot, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and safety of electrical and gas supply. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Failure to do so is an offence subject, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or a term of six months in prison, or both, and €250 for each day of a continuing offence. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local authority, supported by a dedicated stream of funding allocated by my Department.

The regulations are currently being reviewed with a view to updating them as part of an action programme to promote improvement in standards of rental accommodation. I expect to be in a position to publish a draft of the revised regulations for consultation at the end of March 2008.

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