Some Kells tenants 'living in terrible conditions"

The plight of tenants living in terrible conditions in Kells was highlighted at a meeting of Kells Town Council last week when councillors were given details of the Minimum Standards for Rental Accommodation which come into force this year. Cathaoirleach Brian Collins welcomed the new standards and said he received representation on a daily basis from people living in substandard conditions. He could not understand why there was so much substandard accommodation when there was now so much good quality housing available for renting. He said the council should bring down the Private Rental Tenancy Board to give a presentation. Cllr Brian Curran agreed and said the new regulations would have to be looked at in great detail. Cllr Peter Caffrey congratulated the Minister on bringing in the minimum standards for rented accommodation. 'There is a lot of private rented housing in good condition but there are rogue landlords out there and sadly a lot of people are going blindly into rented accommodation, not knowing what their rights are,' he said. Cllr Conor Ferguson pointed out that the standards would also apply to the town council and landlords. Under the new legislation, shared bathroom facilities will become a thing of the past with a requirement for all rental accommodation to have private sanitary facilities, a safe and effective drainage system and ventilation system, a fixed appliance heating system capable of providing effective heating and proper ventilation, a four-ring hob with oven and grill and adequate extraction/ventilation. Other requirements include a fridge and freezer, microwave, sink and draining area and an adequate number of presses for food storage as well as a washing machine, either in the accommodation or with access to a communal washing facility in the building. And if there is no access to a garden or yard, there must also be a dryer.