Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector. The Act applies to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions which are set out in section 3(2) of the Act. The Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB, was established under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and resolve disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented residential sector.

My Department conducted a review of the Act in 2009 with a specific emphasis on whether it best supports the PRTB's key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector. The outcomes of the review were announced in April 2010 and the Government has approved the preparation of legislation to deliver on the review's recommendations. Lack of awareness among tenants of their rights did not arise as an issue in the course of the review. The PRTB and other stakeholder organisations play an important role in informing parties to tenancies of their rights. The PRTB's website, www.prtb.ie, is an important resource in this regard.

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