INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT by Dublin City Council over six months have found that over 90 per cent of the flats they inspected were unfit for habitation.

The inspections were carried out under the Intensified Inspection Programme (IIP) that is funded by the Department of the Environment. A total of 2,223 inspections were carried out on 1,499 houses. Of these, 1,384 homes (over 92 per cent) did not meet the required standard.

In addition to this, 1,544 improvement notices have been served to landlords, which requires them to make the necessary improvements if they wish to re-let their property.

The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 and Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 lay down the minimum standards to which accommodation must meet.

These regulations cover structural condition, sanitary facilities, heating facilities, food preparation areas, storage and laundry, ventilation, lighting, fire safety, refuse facilities, and electricity and gas.

The targeted inspections were all carried out in the following three areas:

• Cabra Park, Dublin 7
• Grove Park, Rathmines, Dublin 6
• North Circular Road (from Phoenix Park to Aughrim Street)

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