Written answers

Thursday, 6 April 2017

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Private Rented Accommodation Standards

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

52. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a wide range of advertisements across social media for multiple beds and bunk bed accommodation in Dublin; the laws that are in place; if legislation is required to combat this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16808/17]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, recognises that the quality of rental accommodation is critical to the success and sustainability of the residential rental sector and its attractiveness as a long-term accommodation option for households. 

A key commitment in the Strategy was to review the regulations governing minimum standards in rented accommodation, to bring them into line with modern requirements.  That review has now been completed and on 27 January, I signed the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017.  These new regulations will come into operation on 1 July 2017, replacing the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 and the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009.  All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the regulations.  Responsibility for enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority. 

In addition to the updated regulations, procedures for a more efficient, standardised and transparent inspections and enforcement approach across all local authority areas will be introduced; and specific ring-fenced funding for inspections will be provided from 2018 onwards, with the aim of achieving a 25% annual inspection coverage of rental properties by 2021.

It is important to note that overcrowding and unfit houses are legislated for under part IV of the Housing Act 1966.  The Act defines overcrowding in terms of the numbers of persons sharing rooms and room size. Overcrowding may give rise to concerns in respect of fire safety, and may lead to enforcement action by fire authorities.  Situations of overcrowding should be reported to the relevant local authority.

Partial use of houses as overnight guest accommodation, essentially for B&B purposes, is provided for as an exempted development under Regulation 10(4) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as long as not more than four bedrooms in a house are used and not more than four persons are accommodated in a bedroom.

Using a residential property as hostel accommodation is not exempted development and constitutes a change of use which would require planning permission.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.