Welcome to Strumpet City, 2013

A SOUTHSIDE senator is leading the charge against slum landlords in Dublin City after a recent inspection report revealed that nine out of 10 flats and bedsits were unfit for habitation.

Senator Aideen Hayden (Lab), who is also the chairperson of the housing agency Threshold, has called for an ‘NCT for housing’ to tackle unscrupulous landlords.

“The revelation that over 90 per cent of private rented flats inspected by Dublin City Council do not meet even the most basic of standards is unfortunately no surprise,

? she said.

“Some of these flats are in buildings that are more reminiscent of

‘Strumpet City’ than modern day Ireland.

?

Some 1,500 flats were inspected by the council as part of a e1 million Intensified Inspection Programme funded by the Department of the Environment to identify slum conditions in the city’s private rented sector.

Almost 1,400 of them failed to meet the minimum legal standards for private rented accommodation. Problems included unsafe electrics, a lack of private bathrooms and windows, damp, mould and poor heating.

Senator Hayden agreed with the findings, stating that in Threshold’s experience it was not unusual to see 10 or 11 doorbells on houses of flats located between Dublin’s canals.

“Many are in a shocking state of repair, with damp and mould growing on ceilings and walls, windowless rooms, and exposed electrical wiring,

? she said.

“Shared bathrooms and portable heaters, such as a SuperSer, are commonplace.

?

Senator Hayden said that renting out substandard accommodation was a lucrative source of income for unscrupulous landlords who prey on vulnerable people.

“Dublin City Council and the Department of the Environment are therefore to be congratulated for tackling this problem head-on with a crackdown on slum landlords,

? she added.

“The time has come, however, for a new way of ensuring that tenants are protected.

“The onus should be on a landlord to prove that a rented property is safe and meets minimum standards.

“I am proposing the introduction of an NCT for rented housing, rather like the system that currently exists for motor vehicles.

“Before a property is rented it should be certified as

‘fit for purpose’ with the relevant certificate displayed in plain view.

“At the moment it’s up to the local authority to prove that a rented property doesn’t meet standards, but under this new system the onus would be on the landlord to prove that their property is compliant. Inspections under this new scheme would be carried out by a qualified professional on behalf of the landlord.

?

She added:

“An NCT for housing would make it easier for local authorities to enforce the law and, most importantly, it would give greater protection to tenants.

?

Senator Hayden said she would be taking her proposal to the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan.