90% of private rental houses in Co Cork fail to meet living standards

Nine out of 10 privately rented properties in Cork county have failed to meet recommended living standards.

Fire safety concerns and insufficient ventilation of open fires and solid fuel stoves, along with infrastructural deficiencies, were among the breaches of government-set regulations on rented properties.

A total of 524 of the 559 houses inspected by Cork County Council were below standard. Furthermore, one of 179 houses inspected under the HAP (Housing Assistance Planning) scheme — in which local authorities directly pay landlords — passed the minimum set down.