Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1189. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if local authorities are entitled to charge for an assessment (details supplied); if this is protocol; if his attention has been drawn to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1658/19]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) supported tenancies are agreed between the landlord and the tenant; the local authority is not a party to the tenancy and has no role in its agreement.

Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017. All landlords, including those in receipt of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations and responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority.

Local authorities are required to commence the inspection process within 8 months of the commencement of HAP support being provided in relation to a particular dwelling if not already inspected within the previous 12 months

Local authorities do not charge a fee for the assessment of HAP applications or the inspection of dwellings.