Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports that certain landlords who have multiple units in houses are reported to be registering fewer tenancies than the actual number of units rented; if the Private Residential Tenancies Board have any means of investigating these reports; if the PRTB are proactive in determining the number of units in houses which are subdivided; and if the PRTB has an established liaison or information sharing procedures with the local authorities to ensure payment of non principle private residence tax. [26311/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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While I have no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, I am supportive of the body's efforts to ensure compliance with tenancy registration requirements. My Department has not received any specific reports regarding the matter referred to.

It is a matter for the PRTB to enforce tenancies' registration requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Act, specifically sections 144 and 145 which provide for the issuing of notices to landlords and/or occupiers of the dwellings in question and the prosecution of offenders for non-compliance with the registration requirement. Under section 9 of the Act, a person guilty of an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, and daily fines of €250.

The Act makes provision for the exchange of information between the PRTB and the Department of Social Protection, the Revenue Commissioners and local authorities. In the latter instance, the PRTB provides information on a regular basis to local authorities which is used to assist them in the implementation of the charge in respect of Non-Principal Private Residences.

The registration enforcement activities of the PRTB are informed by a variety of information sources including reports from local authorities and members of the public, as well by cross-referencing of PRTB records with those held by the Department of Social Protection regarding landlords in respect of whom rent supplement payments are made.