Increase in ‘slum landlords’ raising rents for sub-standard properties - White
A MORE robust system for inspecting private rental properties needs to come into play to put a stop to “slum landlords” operating after just five percent of the properties in Meath passed their first inspection.
According to the Housing section of Meath Co Council's Monthly Management Report the first inspection targets of 1,850 set by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage were exceeded by carrying out 2,828 inspections. However 136 properties passed after their first inspection. The pass rates were as follows: 1st inspections five per cent, 2nd inspections 22 per cent, 3rd inspections 21 per cent. 23 Improvement Notices were issued and 5,322 Improvement letters.
Cllr Maria White raised concerns about these figures a recent council meeting.
“I'd like to commend the council on exceeding the target number of inspections, which is certainly a positive achievement,” said White.
“However, I have to express my concern regarding the results of the inspections, particularly in relation to private rental properties,” she added.
“It's alarming that less than 50 per cent of properties passed the inspection after the third visit, despite notice and letters being issued by the council. I wonder what more the council can do in enforcing or even raising the issue, maybe at government level.
“With substantial amounts of money being allocated through HAP and other rental supports, we are witnessing an increase in slum landlords who raise rents for substandard properties.
“The situation is unacceptable and the council has a duty of care to those who are living in these properties. So I know renters have requested property inspections, and they have failed the inspections, and when they request to see the report, they weren't given a copy of the report, and they've asked multiple times, and they haven't received the reports.
“So does the council share the information with the other state agencies? Does it share the information with those living in the properties? And I've no doubt, of the properties in questions for schools or hospitals or care homes, and there would undoubtedly be consequences.
“However, families are forced to live in these conditions and they're living continuously in fear and if they raise these issues, they face homelessness. We are a level of government and we need to ensure that all residents have access to safe and decent living conditions.”
Fine Gael Cllr Alan Tobin mirrored White's view and called for greater protection of those placed in emergency accommodation in private rental properties.
“Could we write a letter to HSE or the Department of Housing or the new minister to ask if we can we get these properties inspected because they are falling down,” he said.
“They are putting huge numbers of people in and we don't know what the numbers are,” added Tobin. “We don't know who the property owners are and we don't know where the properties are.”The counter problem that's happening with that is that we're getting multiples of families going into houses. I highlighted here before how a three bed house is now a five bed house with 16 adults and six children.
“There is no accountability for those children going to even school and as a local authority and as local representatives, we need to be able to talk to somebody to voice our concerns.
“And if it's not the local authority, who the hell is it? And if there aren't inspections happening, how the hell do we make those inspections happen because it's not fair on these families. It's not fair on these kids. And it's getting worse.”
Meath Co Co has been contacted for comment