Archives for Landlord Legislation

Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate Requirement

Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate Requirement

5th June, 2020 Question: I am a relatively new Landlord; I purchased a property with tenants in Situ 2 years ago, the tenants remain in the property. One of the tenants recently advised me that he was making a complaint as the Building Energy Rating Certificate expired last year and that I could be sanctioned with a fine. Is this the case?   Response: From January 2009, a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate is compulsory for all buildings being constructed or offered for sale or rent. The certificate rates your building on a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the
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Categories: Landlord Legislation, Landlord Query of the Week, and Uncategorized.
Equal Status Legislation & The Private Rented Sector

Equal Status Legislation & The Private Rented Sector

The provision of private rented accommodation is considered a service under the Equal Status Acts 2000-2015. This Act prohibits discrimination, directly or indirectly. It applies to lettings and accommodation. Landlords or those acting on their behalf such as Agents cannot discriminate against potential tenants. Please Click HERE for the Equal Status Acts 2000-2015. Grounds for Discrimination There are 9 protected grounds outlined below in which you cannot discriminate: Gender Civil Status Family status (for example being pregnant, parent of child under 18, parent or carer of person over 18 that has a disability) Sexual orientation Religion Age Race Membership of the
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Categories: Landlord Legislation and Property Management.
What Landlords Need To Know About Registration With The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

What Landlords Need To Know About Registration With The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

Landlords (including those who let student-specific accommodation) must register residential tenancies with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and update the RTB if information about the tenancy changes. The information taken in registration is used to populate the publicly available register, this register shows the address of the property and the number of bedrooms. It does not show the identity of the landlord or the tenants, or the amount of the rent.   When Do You Register A Tenancy? New tenancies must be registered within a month of the start of the tenancy. *Annual Registration – The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act
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Categories: Landlord Legislation and RTB and Dispute Resolution.
Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act For The Duration Of The Covid-19 Crisis

Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act For The Duration Of The Covid-19 Crisis

Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 was signed into law on the 27th March.  It includes changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency.  A copy of the Act is available for review HERE   Emergency Period The emergency is defined as the period of three months commencing on the 27th March 2020, and that period can be increased if necessary, to extend the emergency period for such period as they consider appropriate, having regard to— (i) the threat to public health presented by Covid-19, (ii) the highly contagious nature of that
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Categories: Landlord Legislation, News, and Property Management.
RTB Sanction & Investigation

RTB Sanction & Investigation

A number of changes were introduced to the legislation governing the residential landlord and tenant relationship, these changes  increased the obligations and the potential liability of residential landlords. In addition to changing the law, the 2019 Act also introduced a new complaints, investigations and sanctions procedure. This is a new function of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) which means the RTB are now in a position to impose penalties on landlords who are found to have committed improper conduct.   What constitutes improper conduct? Failure to comply with the Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) requirements. This occurs by increasing rent by
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Categories: Landlord Legislation, News, Property Management, RTB and Dispute Resolution, and Uncategorized.
Has Your Rental Property Been Inspected?

Has Your Rental Property Been Inspected?

As a landlord you have a legal obligation to ensure that your rental home meets certain minimum physical standards. Local authorities are responsible for carrying out inspections on rental accommodation and enforcing the minimum standards. These standards are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations  In general, the standards apply to dwellings rented from private landlords, local authorities and approved housing bodies. However, they do not apply to holiday homes or to communal housing being let by the Health Service Executive or an approved body. The regulations specify requirements in relation to: Structural Condition Sanitary Facilities Heating Facilities Food Preparation
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Categories: Landlord Legislation, Property Management, and Uncategorized.
Student Specific Accommodation

Student Specific Accommodation

It is important that landlords are aware of recent changes to legislation in relation to Student-Specific Accommodation (SSA). This includes purpose built student accommodation and accommodation that is let for the sole purpose of providing accommodation to students during the academic year. The legislation clarifies that Student-Specific Accommodation provided by the private sector is within the jurisdiction of the RTB, regardless of whether there is a lease or license agreement in place. What Do These Changes Mean for Landlords? If you provide accommodation to students under a license agreement after 15th August 2019 you must register with the RTB. Student
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Categories: Landlord Legislation, News, Property Management, RTB and Dispute Resolution, and Uncategorized.