Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has commented on the RTÉ Investigates programme last night which highlighted the horror of the overcrowded conditions at the lower end of the rental market during Covid-19.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“Three years on from Nightmare to Let, RTÉ Investigates have produced another programme which depicts the serious levels of crowding some tenants are forced to endure.

“This kind of private rented accommodation is unacceptable in normal times but the Covid-19 situation also makes it very unsafe on public health grounds.

“It is clear that some unscrupulous landlords and/or their agents are still trying to cram as many tenants as possible into unsuitable accommodation.

“Sinn Féin had a Dáil motion passed on foot of the original Nightmare to Let programme and three years on nothing has been done.

“I introduced a Bill in the Dáil last week, Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Bill 2020, which empowers the Minister for Housing by way of regulations to introduce an NCT-style certification system for landlords.

“Landlords would have to prove their compliance with fire safety and minimum standards before a property could be let.

“I would urge the government to introduce a NCT system, Fianna Fáil supported this in past, as part of a suite of measures to tackle poor and unsafe accommodation on offer in the private rented sector.

“The government must also ensure that local authorities are adequately resources so that at least 25% of private rented properties are inspected very year.”