Renting In Ireland? Latest Updates
New regulations have come into place for people who are renting accommodation, with these updates requiring landlords to ensure there are extra safety features in rented properties. These updates have been pushed through to ensure disasters such as the Grenfell Towers, don’t occur again and making homes and apartments safer. Certain updates include, properties must also have self-contained bathrooms, and all places MUST have microwaves and cookers. So if you’re renting in Ireland, you might want to take note of your new entitlements.
Fire Regulations & Safety Changes
In light of the recent Grenfell Towers Fire, every rented home must now be equipped with a fire blanket and “suitable self-contained fire detection and alarm system.” A self contained home in multi-unit buildings, such as, apartment blocks, must also have their own fire alarms and fire escape plans. Emergency lighting must be provided in the common areas of the buildings.
Air Quality control
All homes are required to have a carbon monoxide alarm under the new rules. Every room has to have proper ventilation, with ventilation systems in kitchens and bathrooms to remove water vapour/damp.
Kitchens that you can cook in
Landlords must provide their tenants with the following:
- a ring hob with oven and grill
- a microwave
- a cooker hood or extractor fan
- a fridge and freezer
- a sink with potable water
- enough presses for food storage
Other entitlements, a working washing machine or communal washing facilities, and if there’s no outside are to dry clothes, landlords have to provide either a dryer or access to dryer facilities.
No more Bedsits
2008 regulations first attempted to remove bedsits from the rental market by stating that all all flats must have their own bathroom, food prep areas and self-controlled heating appliances. Current Minister for Housing said a few days ago that he would consider bringing back bedsits if “if we can get it right and get the standards right”, however new rules mean that bedsits are still restricted.
Bathrooms
Homes must have a supply of both cold and hot water in a fixed bath or shower. You’re also legally entitled to a “water closet” type bathroom, with access to a toilet and sink.
Vermin/Infestation
Responsibility for dealing with vermin has now been moved from tenant to landlord, which means that landlords must now handle extermination of mice or rats if found in a home.
Windows
New safety measures mean that windows sitting more than 1.4m above the ground must have features installed which limits the size of the opening to prevent people falling from large windows.
Click here for more information on these new regulations.