South Dublin County Council appointed the Inspex team in 2019 for the provision of housing inspections and support services to ensure properties available for letting in the South Dublin County Council administrative area are in compliance with the Housing Standards Regulations 2019.

Local authorities play a strategic role managing new and existing housing supply through a range of delivery mechanisms including the oversight of accommodation standards in the private rented sector (PRS).  Annually, the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage (DHLGH) requires that 25% of all registered tenancies with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), in the administrative area of all Local Authorities, are inspected to ensure compliance with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.  At end June 2020, the total number of private registered tenancies in the South Dublin County Council area was 16,677.

All privately rented properties must comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. The current minimum standards for rented accommodation specify the requirements in relation to a range of matters including structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, lighting, fire safety as well as the safety of gas and electrical supply.

Together with Inspex, South Dublin County inspected the largest amount of rented dwellings by any Local Authority in 2020.

As part of its agreement with South Dublin County Council, Inspex notifies landlords and or tenants of the requirement for a property to be inspected, inspects the rented property and determines whether the property complies with the minimum standards.

All landlords, including Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), have a legal obligation to comply with the standards and must ensure their properties are fully compliant with fire safety and minimum standards regulations for rental properties.

Failure to comply with the minimum standards can result in penalties and prosecution. South Dublin County Council can issue Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices to landlords who breach the minimum standards regulations.