COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 09, 2009

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor C. King

To ask the Manager,  in the period January 2007 to December 2008 (A) how many inspections of private rented accomodation took place to ascertain whether or not they met the regulated standard, (B) how many of these properties passed and failed to reach the standard and (C) how many prosecutions took place as a result of these findings and can the Manager make a statement on the matter?

REPLY:

The following is the position in relation to inspections of private rented accommodation:

(a) In the period January 2007 to December 2008 1,269 properties were inspected under the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993. 

(b) Out of this number 125 properties failed the inspection

(c) No prosecutions were necessary as works were carried out as outlined.

The  inspection of private rented properties under the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993 is managed by the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) Unit  in South Dublin County Council.  Inspections are carried out by the Environmental Health Officers (EHO) on behalf of the Council.  In the case of a property failing to meet the standards a letter is issued to the property owner by the EHO.  This letter sets out the areas where standards have not been met, details the works required to rectify this and the time frame within which these works must be completed.  A follow up inspection is carried out after the appropriate time has elapsed.

It is the experience of the RAS Unit to date that the necessary works are carried out within this timeframe and as a result no prosecutions have been taken.  

It should be noted that new regulations came into effect on 1st February 2009 - Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008.

Priority is given to carrying out inspections of properties which are being contracted into the Rental Accommodation Scheme on account of this being one of the conditions of the scheme however inspections on foot of a complaint are dealt with immediately.