Q.  My landlord promised to refurbish my flat, as it’s quite basic and I share a bathroom with another tenant. He now says he doesn’t have to refurbish, as I have been renting since 2007 and he says the legal standards don’t apply to my flat. Is this correct?

19.11.12

Private rented housing must meet minimum physical standards, which are laid down in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008. For existing tenancies, a 4-year phasing-in period was allowed for some of the standards in the Regulations, so that landlords could carry out the refurbishment works needed to modernise their properties. These include standards for sanitary facilities, heating facilities, food preparation, storage and laundry. This phasing-in period ends on 1 February 2013 and your landlord must ensure that your flat meets the standards fully by that date.

By law, the landlord must provide: A separate room, for your exclusive use, with a toilet, a wash basin and a fixed bath or shower with hot and cold water; a fixed heating appliance in each room, which is capable of providing effective heating and which you can control; adequate facilities for the hygienic storage, preparation and cooking of food and access to a washing machine and dryer. If your landlord refuses to provide these facilities, you can complain to your local authority, which is responsible for enforcing the standards. Failure to comply with these minimum standards can result in penalties and prosecution.

Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741

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