Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the legislative restrictions in which the Private Rented Tenancies Board operates, he is considering the putting in place of a licensing system for landlords which will ensure a minimum standard for the renting of residential properties. [22821/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local authority.

In September 2006 a comprehensive Action Programme to promote improvement in standards of private rented accommodation was announced, involving a range of measures including improved regulation, enforcement, funding and information. Good progress is being made with this Programme, an important element of which is the updating of the existing standards regulations in consultation with relevant interests. Submissions received in that regard are being considered and revised regulations should be available later this year.

While there is no proposal currently to introduce a landlord licensing system, landlords are required, under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, to register tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Failure to do so is an offence, subject, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000, or a term of up to six months in prison or both. In addition, under the Finance Act 2006, landlords must register a tenancy with the Board in order to claim tax relief on qualifying mortgage interest and refurbishment expenditure against rental income.

I believe that the registration system is operating well, with a very high number of tenancies currently registered, providing a valuable source of data for the purpose of enforcing the standards regulations as well as the PRTB's dispute resolution functions. It is a function of the PRTB to keep the operation of the legislation under review and to make recommendations regarding any amendments considered necessary.