Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 877: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the controls which exist to compel private landlords to maintain their properties to an acceptable standard; the penalties which apply for allowing private property to deteriorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10515/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The minimum standards applying to rented accommodation are contained in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993 made under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. Enforcement of the regulations is a function of local authorities, which have powers under the 1992 Act to enter and inspect at all reasonable times a house to which the regulations apply. Where an authority finds an incidence of non-compliance with a provision of the regulations it serves a notice on the landlord requiring specified works to be undertaken. Contravention of the regulations constitutes an offence and such offences are prosecuted by the local authorities. The penalties applying to convictions were increased in 2004 to a fine of up to €3,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to six months or both. The penalty applying to conviction for a continuing offence was increased to €250 per day at that time.