Don't pay new registration fee, tenants advised
Wednesday September 01 2004
The warning came as provisions of a sweeping new tenancies law, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, came into force today.
Threshold was responding to comments by Fintan McNamara of the Irish Property Owners Association, who said emphatically yesterday that landlords "will charge the registration fee to their tenants". He predicted that the fee, which is €70 "will be added to the new Waste Management Charge, which is €110 per annum. This means tenants will be paying €180 upfront, in addition to the deposit."
The new law establishes the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). The intention is to regularise the relationship between tenants and landlords. The PRTB will also be able to mediate disputes between the parties.
Threshold chairperson, Ms Aideen Hayden, said yesterday that one of the first jobs of the Board must be to "clarify what can be charged to tenants as part of their rent".
She stated: "If landlords go down this route we will be advising tenants not to pay the fee and we will be seeking legal advice."
The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government declined to comment on Mr McNamara's remarks.
However, a spokesperson said that the fee requirement would be rigorously enforced.
A fine of €3,000 or six months in prison or both will be imposed on landlords who do not lodge a fee.
- David QuinnSocial Affairs Correspondent
