Real Estate Alliance

New Rental Accommodation Standards

As of February 1st, new minimum standards for rental accommodation came into effect.

Passed by our Minister of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Michael Finnernan, the these new minimum standards will replace the present 15 year old laws.

Sanitary facilities, heating, food preparation, laundry, refuse facilities, fire safety and the property’s exterior are all covered in the new minimum standards for rented accommodation.

Under this new legislation tenants are entitled to a washing machine, a fridge freezer a microwave, and where there is no access to a garden or yard, there must also be a dryer. A smoke alarm, a fire safety blanket and an emergency evacuation plan must also be provided.
It is the Landlords responsibility to ensure the safety & quality of the rental property’s structure. The Landlord is also obligated to maintain the building’s façade and any garden, paths, driveways, hedges associated with the dwelling.

It is up to Local Authorities to inspect rental properties and ensure that the new minimum standards are implemented and adhered to. Local authorities can issue Landlords with improvement notices and when required prohibition notices. This will prevent further renting of a property until it complies with the standards. In addition, Landlords who failure to comply will face €5000 fine along with €400 daily fines thereafter for non compliance.

The new legislation applies to all new first-time lettings. All existing lettings will be given a four-year phasing-in period to comply with some of the provisions outlined in the new regulations.