Tenants rights in rented accommodation
Your landlord has a legal duty to make sure that rented accommodation meets specific minimum standards. These standards apply mainly to homes rented from private landlords, with exceptions for some types of tenancies.
Your landlord must make sure the property does not have damp and is structurally sound internally and externally. Essential parts of the property, such as roofs, windows, floors and more, must be kept in good condition.
Electricity and gas supplies should be safe and in good repair, and there must be adequate ventilation, lighting and heating controls in every room.
What appliances and facilities should my landlord provide?
Private landlords must provide access to essential appliances, including:
A washing machine
A clothes-dryer if the property does not have a private garden or yard
A 4-ring hob with oven and grill
A cooker hood or extractor fan
A fridge and freezer, or a fridge-freezer
A microwave oven
All landlords must also provide:
A sink with hot and cold water.
A separate room, for the exclusive use of each rented unit, with a toilet, a washbasin and a fixed bath or shower with hot and cold water. These facilities must be maintained in good working order and the room must be well ventilated.
A permanently fixed heater in each bathroom or shower room. These must be working well and be properly maintained.
A fixed heating appliance in each room, which provides enough heat for the room and can be controlled by the tenant. There should also be suitable facilities for removing fumes.
A fire blanket and fire detection and alarm system.
Access to vermin-proof and pest-proof rubbish storage facilities. The landlord must also make efforts to prevent the infestation of pests and vermin at the property.
Safety restrictors on windows that are located above a certain height, to prevent falls
Information on the property, building services, appliances and their maintenance requirements.
A carbon monoxide alarm which must be suitably located and maintained.
What can I do if these minimum standards are not met?
You should always report sub-standard conditions to your landlord first. If your accommodation is sub-standard or your landlord refuses to carry out essential repairs, you can contact your local authority. Local authorities can issue Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices, outlining necessary repairs and prohibiting re-letting until your landlord fixes the issues.
You can find out more about standards for rented accommodation on https://bit.ly/MinimumStandardsRentedAccomodation, or call us on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).
Know Your Rights has been compiled by South Connacht Citizens Information Service CLG, which provides a free and confidential service to the public.
Tel: 0818 07 6330 Address: Boyle CIC, Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0818 07 4000.
