COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 09, 2007

MOTION No. 3

MOTION: Councillor R. Dowds

That this County Council agrees (a) to write to the Minister for the Environment asking him to introduce legislation to devolve the powers of the Private Rental Tenancies Board to County Councils (with adequate financial resources) and

(b) to introduce amending legislation whereby rogue tenants can be dealt with, up to eviction if absolutely necessary, without local residents having to expose their identities in cases where their safety might be under threat.

REPORT

If the motion is adopted by this council it will be rererred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for consideration.

This iissue was the subject of a report and discussion at the June meeting of the Council. The report stated "where a landlord is found not to have registered a tenancy the RAS unit will refer the case to the PRTB who will pursue the matter.  It is open to the PRTB to take fiscal sanctions against non conforming landlords.

In addition, details of all landlords will be passed annually and as a matter of routine to the Revenue Commissioners to ensure that they are tax compliant in respect of their rental income.  Penalties and interest are chargeable on a case by case basis against tax defaulters.

Preliminary discussions have been held with local Superintendent Community Welfare Officers with a view to streamlining procedures in these areas and also in dealing with the issue of ASB in rent supplemented accommodation.  It is planned to have further meetings and members will be informed of developments."