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People Before Profit councillor Darragh Adelaide described the figures as "shocking". Alamy FIle Photo

Thousands of rental properties in Dublin found in breach of minimum housing standards

Over 3,500 properties were found to be non-compliant following inspections in South Dublin last year.

THOUSANDS OF PROPERTIES in South Dublin were found to be in breach of minimum standards for rental tenancies last year, according to new figures.

Inspectors on behalf of South Dublin County Council carried out surveys at 4,772 properties within the local authority last year, finding 3,594 non-compliant with regulations that set minimum standards for rental homes.

People Before Profit councillor Darragh Adelaide, who requested the information, has described the figures as “shocking” and has called for the introduction of strict penalties to curb what he deemed negligence from landlords.

Property owners must ensure their rental homes are not damp, structurally sound, have adequate ventilation in every room and have both natural and artificial light in every room under the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.

Landlords must also make sure that electricity and gas supplies are safe and in order, that tenants have access to a washing machine, clothes dryer (if properties do not have a garden), a four-ring hob, oven and grill with an extractor fan.

Other utilities required in all private tenancies are a fridge and freezer, a microwave, suitable cupboards for food and non-food items, a sink with mains water supply of cold, drinking water and hot water.

If inspectors find that a property is in contravention any of the nine minimum standards, the local authority can issue improvement letters to landlords, requesting upgrades be made and setting a date for a follow-up inspection, if necessary.

South Dublin County Council issued 4,431 improvement letters to property owners in 2024. Eight improvement notices and one prohibition notice were also issued.

In 2023, inspectors surveyed 2,734 properties, and issued 1,174 non-compliance orders, 2,032 improvement letters and no improvement notices or prohibitions.

Adelaide said the “real issue” is the government’s housing policy, which he claims have “prioritised landlords’ profits over tenants’ rights”, leading to “soaring” rents last year. 

“Relying on the private market to develier hoursing has failed, and is leaving thousands in either substandard accommodation or homelessness,” he added.

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    Mute WoodlandBard
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    Nov 5th 2019, 1:44 PM

    “Simply a good man” doesn’t that say it all? RIP

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    Mute The digenous
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    Nov 5th 2019, 3:08 PM

    @WoodlandBard: Do you remember the Joke from the 1970’s?? “ what would you do on a Saturday night if the Late Late show went on fire”? (Ans) Watch Gay Byrne!!! It’s like he’s been around forever..Alas!! No more..Sleep well Gay.

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    Mute Jeni Moriarty
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    Nov 5th 2019, 2:52 PM

    I dont think anyone in Ireland can say he wasnt part of their childhood, I remember watching him when I was a young kid, sitting beside my nana, bored off my face, too young to have any interest in any of his guests. But every week guaranteed there I’d be sitting beside my nana, until that one night when the toy show would come on. It was always such an event in ours.
    Thanks for the memories Sir RIP xxx

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    Mute Eilín Teeling
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    Nov 5th 2019, 1:40 PM

    One of Ireland’s first social media influencers who brought society to our homes. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

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    Mute Mike Ryan
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    Nov 5th 2019, 2:58 PM

    The man was practically part of the family. RIP.

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    Mute The digenous
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    Nov 5th 2019, 1:37 PM

    Is Ryan at the helm of this live tribute?? I hope not!!

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    Mute The digenous
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    Nov 5th 2019, 1:38 PM

    @The digenous: R.I.P. Gay :-(

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    Mute Conoroconnor
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    Nov 5th 2019, 1:51 PM

    @The digenous: I’d say so. They’d be better of showing some clips of the man himself from over the years, instead it looks like we’re going to have a giant RTE love-in

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    Mute The digenous
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    Nov 5th 2019, 2:07 PM

    @Conoroconnor: My thoughts exactly mate.The programme will be all about RTE heads and their tales about Gay.Pure Bull.Just show the best bits of HIS shows over the years.No one want to see a patronising Tubridy fuelling his ego.

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    Mute Kem Trayle
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    Nov 5th 2019, 2:45 PM

    @The digenous: Would make a great Reeling In The Years special.

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    Mute Bernard Sweeney
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    Nov 5th 2019, 3:04 PM

    @The digenous: If liveline today was anything to go by this will play out like you suspect.

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Nov 5th 2019, 10:05 PM

    @The digenous: the can call it GayPride

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