THE TRADITIONAL one-room bedsit where toilet facilities are shared with other occupants of a house will be phased out under new legal minimum standards for rented accommodation, it has emerged.
The new standards due to come into force early next year will replace the current 15-year-old laws which have been widely criticised for not being rigorous enough.
For example, they allow for an open fireplace as the only means of heating and do not stipulate that a piped supply of hot water should be available for the full day.
Minister of State for Housing Michael Finneran told The Irish Timeshe was aware that small numbers of people, among the most vulnerable members of society, were living in "Dickensian" conditions.
"These standards must reflect the general quality of life improvements in Ireland over the last 10 years. The mark of a humane society is how it protects its weaker members and I want to introduce a set of standards that will eliminate sub-standard accommodation from the rental market," Mr Finneran said.
The new standards will ensure that rented accommodation has a fixed bath or shower, supplied with hot and cold water; fridge and freezer, microwave, washing machine and adequate storage; adequate ventilation, maintained in good repair and working order; and pest and vermin-proof and refuse storage facilities, among other requirements.
However, the enforcement of new standards will depend largely on whether local authorities are willing to step up the policing of the private rented sector.
Figures for 2006 show 30 per cent of 6,800 properties inspected fell below minimum standards. Yet legal action against landlords was initiated in just 11 cases.
Government officials say more resources are being directed towards the policing of standards in the private rented sector, with the bulk of funds coming from tenancy registration fees estimated to be in the region of €4 million this year. Work to revise the minimum standards for the rental accommodation sector is near to completion and proposals will be submitted to Government in September.
It will include a package of measures to address key aspects of standards in the private rented sector. The revised standards will mean that many landlords will have to invest significant amounts in their properties to ensure they comply with the new law.
As a result, Mr Finneran says he will phase in certain aspects of the standards over a small number of years for existing private rented accommodation. However, large parts of the new standards will be introduced as soon as the regulations come into force early next year. New rental accommodation will have to comply with all standards from day one.
He added that officials from the department were in ongoing discussions with the Department of Social and Family Affairs regarding the need to match rent supplement payments to the cost of accommodation of an adequate standard.
FIVE STAR: NEW STANDARDS FOR RENTED ACCOMMODATION
Under new standards due to come into force next year, all rental accommodation must have:
SANITARY FACILITIES
Toilet with dedicated wash-hand basin adjacent to WC, supplied with hot and cold water
Fixed bath or shower, supplied with hot and cold water
Safe and effective means of drainage
These must be be provided in a room separate from other rooms by a wall and door and containing separate ventilation
HEATING
Fixed appliances capable of providing effective heating and proper ventilation
FOOD PREPARATION
A four-ring hob with oven and grill and adequate extraction
Fridge and freezer
Microwave
Sink with a draining area
Adequate number of kitchen presses for food storage purposes
LAUNDRY
Washing machine, either within the accommodation or have access to a communal washing machine facility within the building, and a dryer, where there is no access to a garden or yard.
REFUSE FACILITIES
Proper, pest and vermin-proof refuse storage facilities. The use of communal receptacles, where appropriate, will be considered
OUTSIDE A PROPERTY
The facade of the building and the garden and paths, driveways, hedges, should be clean and well maintained
