Councils ‘slacking’ on rental inspections

SEVEN county councils have failed to carry out even one inspection of rented properties over the last five recorded years.

Figures from the Department of Environment show one quarter of county councils did not check the standards of any private dwellings between 2001 and 2005. When contacted, some local authorities admitted failing to keep landlords in check.

Housing Minister Noel Ahern has warned local authorities that they face a pinch in funds unless they carry out inspections.

The seven — some commuter counties around Dublin — included Meath, Louth, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Donegal and Roscommon. An examination of the same five-year period shows just 61 legal actions were taken against landlords, most of which were brought in 2001.

Housing support groups pleaded with Mr Ahern yesterday to tackle authorities not making inspections.

Threshold wants funds handed to authorities from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) registration fees to be taken away. Chairwoman Aideen Hayden said: “The sort of places not being inspected are houses with multiple occupancy. The people most vulnerable in these situations are those on lower incomes, taking properties not suitable for occupancy. A carrot and stick approach would work with councils.”

Threshold says under present laws, landlords comply only with basic standards. The support group was visited by double the amount of people last year looking for housing help.

“There’s more protection for driving a car or going to a restaurant than renting a flat,” said Ms Hayden.

A breakdown of PRTB registration fees shows the amounts the seven authorities in question received in 2005 was €72,517, yet no inspection was carried out. When contacted, some councils admitted no inspections over the five years were carried out while others failed to return calls.

Roscommon County Council said it put its hands up, but blamed resources for the lack of inspections.

Louth said since the five-year period, over 250 inspections have been carried out. Carlow said some inspections were done under the auspices of its housing list assessment process but these were not included in department figures.

It is estimated there are at least 150,000 private rental properties in Ireland.

Director of the Association of County and City Councils Liam Kenny blamed a lack of resources on the issue. However, Union of Students in Ireland (USI) president Colm Hamrogue stressed young people were forking out “absolutely ridiculous” prices for accommodation.

“The inspections need to be carried out. Stronger legislation is needed,” he said.

The minister’s spokesman said inspections would be “ramped up”. Inspections rates were still not great, he said, but in future fees paid to authorities may be based on a quota of checks done.