Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the measures his Department has taken or planned in order to improve the enforcement of standards in the rental sector in response to the National Oversight and Audit Commission's report, Rented House Inspections - a Review of Local Authority Performance of Private Rented Houses Regulations Functions, which was published in October 2016; if his Department plans to introduce a type of NCT for rental properties as recommended by advocacy groups (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2170/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On 13 December 2016, I published the Strategy for the Rental Sector,one of the key measures promised under Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homeless. The strategy sets out a range of measures under the headings of Security, Supply, Standards and Services to address both immediate and long term issues affecting the supply, cost, accessibility and quality of rental accommodation.

Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. The Regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and safety of gas and electrical supply.  With very limited exemptions, these regulations apply to local authority and voluntary housing units as well as private rented residential accommodation.

The findings and recommendations of the National Oversight and Audit Commission’s (NOAC) report, Rented Houses Inspections - A Review of Local Authority Performance of Private Rented Houses Regulations Functionswere carefully considered in the context of the development of the Strategy.

A review of the standards regulations to bring them into line with modern requirements has been completed and changes to the regulations, focussing on tenant safety and including new measures covering heating appliances, carbon monoxide and window safety, will be published shortly and will take effect from 1 July 2017. New guidelines to address the findings of the NOAC report and ensure a uniform approach to inspections and enforcement both within and across local authorities will be issued in Q2 2017.

Specific ring-fenced funding for inspection and compliance activity will be identified from 2018 onwards in order to increase the numbers of properties inspected and annual targets for both inspection and compliance will be agreed with local authorities. The objective is to increase inspection numbers incrementally each year with the aim of achieving a 25% annual inspection coverage rate by 2021.

As outlined in the Strategy, in order to support landlords and improve standards in the rental sector, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) will offer a voluntary landlord accreditation scheme by which landlords and agents will gain knowledge on best practice, including a comprehensive understanding of the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. Such accreditation will be voluntary and offered as a service by the RTB, rather than mandatory regulation. The accreditation will show tenants that landlords are professional and offering a quality service and allow landlords to be recognised for the good service being provided. It will also support landlords in their rental business, providing confidence in applying and adhering to the regulatory framework. The potential for accreditation courses and Continuous Professional Development or refresher courses for all registered landlords will also be explored.

The Strategy can be accessed on the Rebuilding Ireland website at: