Thousands of Dublin rental units fail to meet minimum legal standards

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Three quarters of rental units inspected by a Dublin local authority last year did not meet minimum legal standards, according to newly released data.

South Dublin County Council has a statutory obligation to enforce minimum standards in private rented accommodation.

Inspections are primarily carried out by external contractors, covering private properties and those covered by the Housing Assistance Payment, the Rental Accommodation Scheme, and Approved Housing Bodies.

Properties are also inspected where complaints are reported directly to the council.

When a property falls below any of nine regulatory minimum standards, a landlord is notified and asked to resolve the issue.

In circumstances where there is continued contravention of minimum standards and improvement notices, legal action may be initiated.

The People Before Profit party is calling for urgent action to introduce strict penalties for landlords who refuse to meet legal standards, along with social and affordable housing built publicly on public land.

In data released to PBP councillor Darragh Adelaide, the council said it inspected a total of 4,772 properties in 2024 and 3,594 were found to be non-compliant.

This resulted in 4,431 improvement letters, eight improvement notices, and one prohibition notice.

In 2023, more than 40 per cent of the 2,732 inspected dwellings were found to be non-compliant.

There were no improvement nor prohibition notices issued that year.

Mr Adelaide expressed deep concern over the figures and said: “These figures highlight a shocking disregard for tenants’ rights and safety.

“Landlords are neglecting even the most basic legal standards, leaving renters to suffer the consequences.”

He said the eight improvement notices issued in South Dublin last year compared to 946 such notices issued by Dublin City Council in 2023.

He added: “The real issue here is, however, the Government’s housing policy.

“For years, successive governments have prioritised landlords’ profits over tenants’ rights.

“Rents are soaring while the number of homes constructed fell by nearly 7 per cent in 2024.

“Relying on the private market to deliver housing has failed, and is leaving thousands in either substandard accommodation or homelessness.”