COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 13, 2017

QUESTION NO.16

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a detailed report on inspections of private rented properties in the County, and to make a statement on the matter. 

REPLY:

Private rented properties in the County are currently inspected under the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 and the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009. These inspections are carried out by the Council’s Clerk of Works and by the Environmental Health Officers for the purposes of ensuring that rented properties comply with the regulations. New regulations to replace the 2009 regulations were signed by the Minister on 26^th January and will come into effect on 1^st July 2017.

During the 12 month period 1^st January to 31^st December 2016 1353 dwellings were inspected. A total number of 1534 inspections which includes re-inspections, were carried out during this period. It is noted by NOAC in its report on Inspections of Private Rented dwellings that South Dublin County Council is among the best performers in this area.

Of the dwellings inspected 1195 did not meet the regulatory requirements. The most common contraventions of the minimum standards were the following:

• Smoke alarms – either not present, not working or not the required number
• Boiler service certification not available
• Fire Blanket – not present
• Carbon Monoxide Alarms – either not present or not the required number. Although this is not included in the current minimum standards, the Council advises that it is best practice for rented properties to have them installed. (This requirement has now been addressed in the new regulations coming into effect on 1^st July).

All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations in order to protect the health and well-being of their tenants, and that the rented property is safe and fit for habitation while let and available for renting.

In cases where the property contravenes the minimum standards the landlords are notified and requested to confirm the minimum standards are complied with. In 2016 two Improvement Notices requiring improvement works to be carried out were served. A prosecution has been initiated in relation to one, while a Prohibition Notice was served (in 2017) in relation to the other.

During 2017 the Council will be focusing on enforcement of the minimum standards and in this regard will be carrying out spot checks on properties which failed to meet the minimum standards in 2016.