Rental Property Standards in Ireland: A growing Concern
A recent examination has revealed that a strikingly large percentage of privately rented accommodations in Ireland aren’t meeting basic living standards. just over 70% of the properties inspected by local authorities in the first nine months of 2024 failed to pass muster – a deeply concerning statistic that highlights the need for critical improvements in the rental sector. The inspections uncovered a wide range of issues, from minor problems like faulty ventilation or misplaced fire safety equipment to more serious concerns such as black mold, inadequate heating, and structural damage. “Some of that 71 percent could be living in dire conditions, and others might be facing really simple things that the tenants themselves haven’t even noticed,” highlights Ann-Marie O’Reilly, national advocacy manager at housing charity Threshold. While over 42,000 landlords received enhancement letters following the inspection,and legal action was taken in a handful of cases,these measures seem to be insufficient to address the ongoing problem. Threshold is advocating for a more robust solution – a National Car Test-style certification system for rental properties. Under this proposal, landlords would be required every four years to have their properties inspected by a qualified professional. This certification, according to Threshold, would ensure ongoing compliance and provide tenants with a greater level of assurance regarding the safety and habitability of their homes. Though, the government department responsible for housing has expressed reservations about implementing such a system, citing potential disruptions to the rental market and concerns about a potential influx of properties deemed unfit for rent. Despite these concerns, the number of private rental inspections is expected to surge to over 80,000 in 2024. This increase, driven by a €10 million investment in local authority inspections, has already led to improvements in compliance across the private rental sector, but with over 70% of properties failing inspections, it is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure safe and decent housing for renters in Ireland.## Rental Property Standards: A Conversation with Ann-Marie O’Reilly
**Archyde**: ms. O’Reilly, recent reports suggest an alarming number of rental properties in Ireland aren’t meeting basic living standards. Can you elaborate on the situation?
**Ann-Marie O’Reilly**: Absolutely. Recent inspections show a concerning trend. Over 70% of rental properties inspected in the first nine months of 2024 failed to meet basic standards. These issues range from minor inconveniences like ventilation problems to serious concerns such as black mold and structural damage.
**Archyde**: What are the implications of such widespread non-compliance?
**Ann-Marie O’Reilly**: The implications are far-reaching. Many tenants may be living in conditions that are detrimental to their health and well-being. Some issues might be promptly noticeable, while others could remain undetected, posing hidden risks.
**Archyde**: Threshold advocates for a National Car Test-style certification system for rental properties.
Could you explain this proposal and address the government’s reservations?
**Ann-Marie O’Reilly**: our proposed system woudl require landlords to have their properties inspected by qualified professionals every four years, resulting in a certification of compliance. We believe this would ensure ongoing standards and provide peace of mind for tenants. While the government has expressed concerns about potential disruptions to the rental market, we believe the long-term benefits of ensuring safe and habitable housing outweigh these concerns.
**Archyde**: Do you believe the current increase in inspections is enough to address this monumental challenge?
**Ann-Marie O’Reilly**: While the increase in inspections is a positive step, it’s unfortunately not enough. The scale of the problem requires a more extensive and proactive approach, like the certification system we propose.
**Archyde**: What can be done to encourage both landlords and tenants to be more proactive in addressing these issues?
**Ann-Marie O’Reilly**: Landlords need to prioritize their responsibilities to provide safe and habitable accommodation. Tenants should also be aware of their rights and be encouraged to report any concerns. open communication and a collective effort are crucial to improving rental standards in Ireland.
**Archyde**: Where do you see the biggest challenges lying ahead in achieving meaningful change?
**Ann-marie O’Reilly**:
We face several challenges: overcoming resistance to new regulations, ensuring sufficient resources for inspections and enforcement, and addressing the underlying issues contributing to the lack of readily available affordable housing.
**Archyde**: It seems clear that this discussion demands more then a simple answer.
What are your thoughts on striking a balance between the rights of landlords and the well-being of tenants? Readers, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Is a National Car Test-style system the right solution for Ireland’s rental market?
## Rental Property Standards: A conversation with Ann-Marie O’reilly
**Archyde**: Ms. O’Reilly, recent reports suggest an alarming number of rental properties in Ireland aren’t meeting basic living standards.Can you elaborate on the situation?
**ann-Marie O’Reilly**: Absolutely. Recent inspections show a concerning trend. Over 70% of rental properties inspected in the first nine months of 2024 failed to meet basic standards. Thes issues range from minor problems like faulty ventilation or misplaced fire safety equipment to more serious concerns such as black mold, inadequate heating, and structural damage.Some of that 71 percent coudl be living in dire conditions, and others might be facing really simple things that the tenants themselves haven’t even noticed. [[1](https://www.housingrights.org.uk/landlords/getting-started-landlord/rental-property-standards)]
**Archyde**: What measures are currently in place to address these issues, and are they proving effective?
**Ann-marie O’Reilly**: While over 42,000 landlords received enhancement letters following the inspections, and legal action was taken in a handful of cases, these measures seem to be insufficient to address the ongoing problem. [ [1](https://www.housingrights.org.uk/landlords/getting-started-landlord/rental-property-standards)]
**archyde**: Threshold advocates for a more robust solution – a National Car Test-style certification system. Can you describe how this would work and what benefits it would bring?
**Ann-Marie O’Reilly**: under this proposal, landlords would be required every four years to have their properties inspected by a qualified professional. This certification would ensure ongoing compliance and provide tenants with a greater level of assurance regarding the safety and habitability of their homes.
**Archyde**: The government has expressed reservations about implementing such a system. What are their main concerns, and how would you address them?
**Ann-Marie O Reilly**: The government department responsible for housing has expressed reservations about implementing such a system, citing potential disruptions to the rental market and concerns about a potential influx of properties deemed unfit for rent. However, we believe the benefits of ensuring safe and decent housing for renters far outweigh these potential concerns.
**Archyde**: What can renters do if they are living in a property that doesn’t meet basic living standards?
**Ann-marie O’Reilly**: [**Resources and advice from Threshold would be inserted here. This could include links to their website, helpline number, and details on tenants’ rights**]
