Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 488: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the timescale for resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants referred to arbitration with the Residential Tenancy Board. [14036/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has no function in the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. This is the statutory responsibility of the Private Residential Tenancies Board established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, which specifically provides that the board shall be independent in the performance of its functions. There is a general objective in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to have disputes resolved speedily and specific time limits relating to the various elements of the dispute resolution process are prescribed in rules made by the board under the Act.

In relation to cases that are referred to adjudication by the board, the adjudicator must furnish a report within 14 days of making a determination. However, no overall time limit is provided as the total time required is subject to variation depending on the circumstances of the case and whether an appeal is made to a tenancy tribunal and the High Court.