Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 616: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the recourse a person and others like them have (details supplied); if he intends to make regulations to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5079/06]

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

The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993 specify the minimum standards applying to rented accommodation, both private and social. Article 7 of the regulations requires that rented accommodation contain an appliance or appliances capable of providing adequate space heating. Enforcement of the regulations is a function of the relevant local authority. The individual in question should contact his local authority if he considers that his accommodation may not meet the minimum standards. If the local authority finds non-compliance they will serve a notice on the landlord specifying the works that must be carried out to the accommodation and can initiate prosecution proceedings where appropriate. Failure by a landlord to comply with the standards regulations is an offence.

While accommodation that complied with the regulations will be of an acceptable minimum standard, as the standards regulations are now 12 years in operation, it is my intention to review their content once the process of bedding down the new tenancy legislative regime permits.