Ireland’s rental market could soon face stricter oversight as the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) eyes new powers to tackle unregistered landlords. The watchdog is considering asking for the authority to inspect properties even when they suspect a tenancy hasn’t been officially registered.
Currently, the RTB’s hands are tied. They can only inspect a property after someone has applied to register it as a rental or if they’ve already started an investigation. This limitation makes it challenging to catch landlords who are flying under the radar and potentially breaking rental rules.
The proposed change would give the RTB more muscle to proactively identify and address issues in the rental sector. It’s part of a broader effort to ensure all landlords are playing by the rules and that tenants are protected.
According to The Irish Examiner, this move comes as Ireland grapples with a housing crisis and increasing concerns about the quality and legality of some rental properties. If granted, these new powers could significantly shake up the rental landscape and bring more accountability to the sector.