Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

What is required is an ongoing maintenance programme for all stock to ensure it is routinely kept up to a decent standard. No house should be in such poor condition when it becomes vacant that it takes several months to bring back. Usually, it is only after a house is vacated that it would be considered for an energy upgrade to thermal insulation and heating systems, or a new window set. I believe the council should be continuously assessing their houses. The rent collectors are gone from the job, but they were always on the ground and knew what was happening. They also reported back on the condition of the houses. We need to have regular inspections of rented houses.

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