Archives for Uncategorized

Fire Safety In Rental Accommodation

Fire Safety In Rental Accommodation

Frighteningly, in as little as 3 minutes a person can die of smoke inhalation.   Landlords please be aware of your responsibilities in relation to fire safety and to ensure that your properties are fully compliant with the fire safety standards and regulations applicable to rental properties. Information on the requirements for fire safety can be found in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations  Specifically landlords must ensure: There is a suitable self-contained fire detection and alarm system in each house. There is a suitably located fire blanket. That each self-contained house in a multi-unit building shall contain a suitable
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Categories: First Time Landlord, Property Management, 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.
Can An Agent Pass On Management Fees To Tenants?

Can An Agent Pass On Management Fees To Tenants?

Question:  I have engaged a letting agent to manage a large portfolio of property on my behalf. Can the agent charge the tenants their management fees ?  Response:  Landlords frequently employ letting agents to let and, in some cases, manage their properties. Letting agents are required under law to have a licence and Landlords should avoid dealing with unlicensed agents as you may have little recourse if things go wrong. Our understanding is that it is not legal for agents to charge tenants fees. Under Section 90 of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 it is not legal to charge tenants
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Categories: Landlord Query of the Week and Uncategorized.
Expenses Landlords Can Claim

Expenses Landlords Can Claim

There are a lot of expenses that you can claim in order to reduce your tax liability. Tax can be confusing, and many Landlords are unsure of their obligations and entitlements, meaning you often don’t claim back what you are entitled to and miss out on potential savings. Allowable expenses include: Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) registration. Insurance premiums against fire and public liability. Maintenance of your property such as cleaning, painting and decorating. You can deduct these costs as well as wear and tear expenses such as the price of furnishings and fittings. Repairs, such as rot treatment, mending windows,
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Categories: Taxation and Uncategorized.
Landlord Query of The Week: Daughter Shares Rental – Does This Have To Be Registered With The RTB?

Landlord Query of The Week: Daughter Shares Rental – Does This Have To Be Registered With The RTB?

Question: My Daughter is a student and is staying in a property I own in Dublin, there are no other occupants at present in this property. If she takes fellow students into the property will they have to be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board?   Response: If you or your daughter have a written agreement in place with the students intended to occupy the premises then yes, this must be registered with the RTB and subject to the Residential Tenancies Act. However, if you do not have a written agreement in place, it is our understanding that you do
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Categories: Landlord Query of the Week and Uncategorized.
I’m In A Rent Pressure Zone And Way Below Market Rent ?

I’m In A Rent Pressure Zone And Way Below Market Rent ?

New rules are in place since this post was published in September 2019 – Please contact IPOA directly for information on the current RPZ rules. Question: I have been renting a 2-bed apartment in Cork City Centre for the past 10 years, I have had the same good tenants for the duration of the letting and never varied their rent. My tenants have recently bought their own property and will be vacating the apartment at the end of the month. I am 50% below market rent for the area, I have two prospective new tenants willing to pay market rent
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Categories: Landlord Query of the Week and Uncategorized.