Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on putting in place a proper system to enable resident associations to make complaints to the Private Rented Tenancies Board about anti-social behaviour issues arising from rented properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25839/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Action to deal with anti-social behaviour is primarily an issue for the Garda Síochána and legislation in this regard is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Landlords are, however, responsible for enforcing the obligations that apply to their tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The Act, in this regard, prohibits a private rental tenant engaging in anti-social behaviour in, or in the vicinity of, a dwelling to which the Act applies and allows a landlord to terminate any tenancy where the tenant is engaging in or allowing others to engage in such behaviour, subject to a notice period of only 7 days in the case of serious anti-social behaviour or 28 days in the case of less serious but persistent behaviour. The Residential Tenancies Act also provides for a third party affected by anti-social behaviour to take a case to the Private Residential Tenancies Board against a landlord who has failed to enforce tenant obligations. The Board can direct the landlord to ensure that tenants comply with their obligations and can enforce compliance through the Courts.

The Private Residential Tenancies Board also has a role in keeping the operation of the Residential Tenancies Act under review and for the making of recommendations for the amendment of the Act and any other related enactments.