Written answers

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Private Rented Accommodation Provision

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

496. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the problems being faced by rent supplement and RAS recipients (details supplied) whose contracts have finished and are unable to find new accommodation following a decision by landlords to leave the scheme, the risk of homelessness they face; and the measures he plans to put in place to ensure they are adequately protected and housed immediately. [24075/13]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The grounds upon which a tenancy in the private rented residential sector may be legally terminated are clearly set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The Act provides the main regulatory framework for the private rented residential sector and for the operation of the Private Residential Tenancies Board. It provides for security of tenure and specifies minimum obligations for landlords and tenants under a tenancy. In addition, the Act contains provisions relating to the setting of rent and rent reviews and sets out the procedures and notice periods that must be complied with when terminating a tenancy. The on-going development of a stable, well regulated rented sector is a key goal for this Government and stability of tenure is fundamental to that goal.

As the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is now deemed to be a social housing support, local authorities retain the responsibility to source further accommodation for a RAS household, should the dwelling that the household is living in become unavailable through no fault of their own. There is no prohibition on households from sourcing alternative accommodation themselves if they so desire, as long as the local authority is satisfied that the accommodation meets the needs of the household and conforms to standards for rental accommodation which are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.