Mandatory inspection and certification of private rental properties now urgent – Eoin Ó Broin TD
5 May 2025
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that mandatory inspection and certification of all private rental properties is now urgent to ensure compliance with rental standards.
The Dublin Mid-West TD made the call in response to the latest Department of Housing figures which reveal that 60% of properties inspected last year failed to meet minimum standards.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Of 62,085 rental properties inspected in 2024, 27,800 failed to meet the appropriate standards. Local Authorities that have the largest private rental sectors – including Dublin, Cork, Meath, and Waterford – had some of the highest levels of non-compliance.
“Not only did 60% of inspected properties fail to meet legally required minimum standards, but the level of inspection is low. There are 240,964 private rental tenancies registered with the RTB, however we know many more tenancies are not registered.
“While some council inspection levels are high, others are abysmally and unacceptable low.
“Today’s figures demonstrate that the introduction of a mandatory inspection and certification regime for all private rental properties is now urgent.
“Government must legislate to ensure that 25% of all private rental stock is inspected and certified every year. Landlords must be required to secure and publicly display their certification of compliance, including when advertising properties to rent.
“Such a regime could be phased in over an initial four-year period and be self funding with Local Authorities charging a modest fee to cover the cost of the inspection and certification.
“This would mean that after four years all properties will have been inspected and from that point on no property should be allowed on the market without a minimum standards certification.
“Government must also extend the certification system to all social and affordable rental properties alongside a phased incorporation of all Local Authority social housing tenancies under the auspices of the Residential Tenancies Board.
“Minimum standards in the rental sector are a legal requirement, not an optional extra. Only a comprehensive inspection and certification regime can ensure full compliance. All tenants – private, affordable, and social – should have equal access to RTB dispute resolution to enable them to vindicate their rights”.
