Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

The private rental sector is a significant part of the housing market and is growing as a result of a lack of demand for home purchasing. Tenants need to be informed of their rights and what agencies are available to assist them in resolving problems should disputes arise with landlords. Threshold and other voluntary groups are inundated with queries on basic tenants' rights. Problems such as the return of deposits, which should be easily resolved, are taking up a great deal of time.

The Minister suggested previously that compulsory registration of landlords would be introduced. There is a serious discrepancy in this regard because many landlords are not registered. Where they are registered, voluntary organisations and others are able to contact them to forward complaints and have issues addressed. This is not the case, however, where landlords are not registered. Will the Minister outline how he proposes to deal with unregistered landlords?

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