Figures from 2013 have shown that a very high percentage of rented properties inspected fail to meet basic minimum requirements.
According to The Independent, the conditions set out as the minimum requirements are not overly stringent, stating that the property should be "free from rot or dampness, have a fixed bath or shower with hot and cold running water, have a working heat source and cooker and a washing machine". The figures showed that on that basis, 58% of 17,849 private residential dwellings failed inspections.
That such a high failure rate on those requirements exists is worrying on its own, but four county councils (Donegal, Louth , Offaly and Limerick city) saw a failure rate of 100%, with others in Cork, Fingal, Longford and Mayo also having failure rates above 90%.
Bob Jordan, Chief Executive of Threshold, a housing charity, told The Independent that the problem is on the increase given that the market is seeing prices steadily climb higher and higher, while the number of properties available is shrinking.
Inspections normally only occur on a random basis or when a member of the public has complained, and Jordan added that this is a large part of the problem; people are suffering in silence as they are afraid their landlord might up the rent or kick them out. As a result, Threshold are proposing that there be a new system of inspections brought in that would work on a similar basis to the National Car Test (NCT).
The proposal would see landlords be forced to submit their property to an inspection, at their own expense, before they would be legally allowed to rent it out.
Via The Independent. Main pic via MelFoody on Flickr
