Press Release: Environment 26 October 2006

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26 October 2006

Green Party calls for inspection of rental property prior to tax relief

The Green Party has called for the inspection of rental property prior to the granting of tax reliefs to landlords. The Party says inspections are necessary to put an end to the growing number of vulnerable people living in sub-standard rented accommodation across the country.  

Under the Finance Acts the owners of rental property in designated areas can claim tax relief on the capital cost of rental units over many years and can also claim relief on the rent received. In addition many landlords are also in receipt of payments under the rental supplement scheme. However most of these units have not been inspected by local authorities.            

Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TDsaid: "Local Authorities have a legal obligation to inspect rental property and ensure that they meet certain minimum physical standards. However Limerick City Council has carried out no inspections of rental property last year and Waterford City County Council has carried out only three inspections.  

"Tenants in receipt of rental supplement for over eighteen months can access accommodation that is directly rented from landlords by local authorities under the Rental Accommodation Scheme ( RAS). However much of the accommodation inspected to date for this scheme has not met basic local authority standards.  

"If this accommodation is not meeting the RAS standards then it seems likely that other private rental units do not meet basic accommodation standards.  

"Tenants have a right to hot and cold water, to heating, and to accommodation that is not subject to serious dampness. Local Authorities must carry out their obligations and ensure that properties of individuals who benefit from this tax relief are inspected to ensure that they comply with these minimum standards.  

"It is unacceptable that landlords are receiving three different types of benefit from the State without any inspection of the accommodation to ensure that it meets minimum standards."