The statement by Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy T.D. in the Dáil last night that he favours a system of self-certification by landlords with respect to overcrowding, fire safety and housing standards demonstrates that he has learned little from the failures of recent years, Social Democrats spokesperson on housing quality and standards councillor Cian O’Callaghan has said.
Cllr O’Callaghan said:
“Expecting unscrupulous landlords that were exposed in RTÉ’s Prime Time Nightmare to Let to self-certify is delusional. Self-certification by developers with respect to compliance with fire safety and building standards has been an absolute failure since its introduction in 1992.
“It has left thousands of families dealing with structural defects in their homes after developers that have self-certified have walked away. Introducing self-certification into the rental sector will not work.
“Instead the very comprehensive 2016 report by the National Oversight and Audit Commission on Inspections of the Private Rented Sector should be implemented in full without delay. There must be independent inspection of all private rented homes by local authorities.”
ENDS