Just 20,000 of the estimated 140,000 residential landlords have registered with the new Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) almost a week after the deadline to do so has passed, according to the housing charity Threshold.
The Minister of State with responsibility for Housing, Mr Noel Ahern, will formally launch the PRTB this afternoon. The chairperson of Threshold, Ms Aideen Hayden, yesterday called on all tenants to make sure their own landlords were registered.
The PRTB, has been established under the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act, which comes into operation today.
Ms Hayden said she was "very disappointed when it was revealed by the Department of the Environment last week that only about 20,000 out of the 140,000 landlords were registered by the deadline".
Failure to register is an offence which carries fines of up to €3,000 and/or a term of imprisonment. However, it is thought many landlords are unaware of the obligation to register. A publicity drive to boost registration is to get underway from today.
The board will also provide a new dispute resolution service for landlords and tenants.
Ms Hayden said if tenants had a problem with their landlord, they may need to use this dispute resolution service. However, if the landlord is not registered, it may result in the case being delayed.
"When all landlords are registered a national database of information will help you to know the exact rent you should be paying for your property. So you'll know whether you are getting a good deal or being ripped off."
As she appealed to landlords to register, Ms Hayden said: "Don't be put off, even if you have missed the deadline."
A spokesman for the Department said it was also in landlords' interest to register as they may have cause to use the dispute resolution service if they were having problems with their tenants.
An indication as to whether one's landlord has registered or not is whether they have approached tenants to ask them for a PPSN number or asked them to sign a registration form. If in doubt, tenants can contact the PRTB on 01 888 2960.
