COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, February 15, 2010

MOTION NO. 14

MOTION: Councillor M. Corr

That the Manager explores the possibility of sharing landlord information with Gardai in the event of a landlord neglecting his responsibilities under the Private Residential Tenancies Act in terms of Anti-social tenants - this information is currently available to the Council in relation to landlords who are tax compliant and pay their NPPR, that this initially begins as a pilot project to be rolled out in the Tallaght area.

REPORT:

Under the Private Residential Tenancies Act 2004 complaints about alleged anti-social behaviour may be made directly to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) by anyone affected by such behaviour.  These complaints are investigated by the Board regardless of whether or not a landlord has registered the tenancy.  Unfortunately delays occur in the cases where tenancies have not been registered because investigations must be carried out in the first instance to establish who owns the property.

In the meantime there is no reason why the Gardai should not be contacted directly to investigate any incidents of anti-social/criminal behaviour involving the tenants of any property. 

The Council receives data from the PRTB detailing the ownership of rented properties where the tenancies have been registered.  This information is made availabe for the purposes of the Rental Accommodation Scheme, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993-2009 and the Non Private Principal Residence Charge only.  Under data protection legislation it is not possible to share this information with another body for any other purpose.

While it is acknowledged that the disputes resolution process of the PRTB has been perceived as being tardy in the past, additional staffing has now been provided to that agency which should improve the operation of this service.