Regulation to ‘leave tenants homeless’

Landlords have claimed new regulations on minimum standards for rental accommodation, due to come into force next month, could lead to homelessness on a large scale and force tenants to pay more for alternative accommodation.

From Feb 1, all rented properties must have their own bathroom facilities in a separate room. Hot and cold water must be accessible in the bathroom facility, along with a fixed bath or shower.

Properties must be structurally sound, with tiles in place, damp eradicated and floors, walls, windows, doors, and ceilings in good condition. Each room must have a heating source and proper ventilation. Adequate facilities for the hygienic storage, preparation and cooking of food, including a four-ring hob and a fridge will also be compulsory.

Nationwide there were 305,377 private rented households in 2011. Of those there were 116,935 households in Dublin in private rental dwellings. The national total that year was 96% higher than in 2006, when there were 155,989 private rented households.

Landlords who do not comply with the required standards face fines of up to €5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.

Councils can also issue prohibition notices, preventing landlords from renting out their properties until shortfalls are addressed.

There has also been a significant rise in the number of inspections of private rental accommodation by local authorities. In 2006 the number of inspections was 9,835. In 2011 it more than doubled to 19,801.

Stephen Faughnan, chair of the Irish Property Owners’ Association, claimed the new rules forced landlords to serve notice on tenants and would “lead to homelessness on a large scale”.

He said some properties are not suitable for conversion, and tenants are forced to source alternative higher- cost accommodation.

“The difficulty arises in having bathrooms within the units, which would make some units too small, taking away valuable living space, and the layouts of some buildings may make a conversion difficult, too expensive or the property owners may not get planning permission,” he said.

“It is also difficult to get funding from the banks to refurbish the properties. It is the wrong time to bring in these changes; it is removing the most affordable accommodation available at a time when money is scarce.”

Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan said landlords had been given four years to prepare for the changes. “That is a generous lead-in period, to say the least,” she said, adding that the regulations would improve the quality of accommodation available to tenants.