Written answers
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Private Residential Tenancies Board Remit
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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109. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the requirement by the Private Residential Tenancies Board for landlords to re-register tenants at a cost of €90; the reason for the charge; his views on the possibility of amending the legislation to ensure landlords adhering to the law are not being punished by virtue of this recurring charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53238/13]
Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets out the fees to be charged by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) for the registration of a tenancy and provides that the PRTB may adjust the fees charged, having regard to changes in the value of money.The registration fee for a tenancy is currently set at €90. Part 4 of the Act provides for security of tenure on the basis of four-year cycles whereby tenancies are deemed terminated at the end of each four year period and a new tenancy then comes into being, assuming the dwelling continues to be let to the same person. The first cycle of these tenancies is known as ‘ Part 4 tenancy’ and each subsequent one is called a ‘further Part 4 tenancy’ in the Act.
Where a tenancy lasts in excess of 4 years, it becomes a ‘further Part 4 tenancy’ and must be re-registered on payment of the €90 registration fee. For the first six months of each tenancy the landlord, subject to conditions of notice, is free to terminate without giving a reason.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 is currently before the Seanad and makes a number of amendment s to the current fee structure. The Bill provides for the abolition of the fee for re-registering a tenancy after 4 years, as long as the re-registration is done within the specified timeframes. It is hoped that this amendment will encourage long term, stable tenancies in the rented sector.
Paul Newsome
Posted on 13 Dec 2013 1:05 pm (Report this comment)
Dear Minister's Hogan and O'Sullivan,
The PRTB does not have even one representative of Ireland's half million - 500,000 - five hundred thousand - renters on it's politically appointed BOARD.
There are Property Professionals, Barristers, Solicitors, (including one who apparently represented a Co. Council's legal actions) A Garda Superintendent, and one trade-union official.
There is nobody from any tenant's / renters organization, tenant's rights group, or individual renter or tenant from Irish society appointed to that Board.
Given that there are half a million renters and an estimated circa 260,000 landlords, why should the representatives on the Board of the PRTB be weighted exclusively towards the landlordism sector?
HOW CAN THIS UNDEMOCRATIC QUANGO BE EXPLAINED OR EXCUSED IN IRELAND IN THE YEAR 2013?
WHY SHOULD THE DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS OF HALF A MILLION IRISH CITIZENS, RENTERS, VOTERS, WORKERS AND TAXPAYERS BE FARMED OUT BY THE STATE TO WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A "FOR PROFIT" ORGANIZATION, SINCE IT FUNDS ITSELF THROUGH FINANCIAL CHARGES TO LANDLORDS?
THIS IS THE KIND OF FARCICAL ABANDONMENT AND ABUSE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCCESS BY GOVERNMENT WE EXPECT TO HEAR FROM LATIN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DICTATORSHIPS.
THE PRTB QUANGO SHOULD INSTANTLY BE SACKED FROM IT'S PLUSH HQ ON CANAL ROAD, DUBLIN AND A DEMOCRATICALLY ACCOUNTABLE CIVIL SERVICE UNIT FOR THE REGULALATION AND CONTROL OF RENTERS AND RENTED ACCOMODATION BE CREATED IN THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.
REGARDS,
PAUL NEWSOME.