Enhancing Housing Standards in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown: A Collaboration with ORS 

In a move to improve housing standards in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR), the local council has teamed up with ORS, a leading provider of surveying services. This collaboration aims to ensure compliance with the Housing Standards Regulations 2019, fostering a safer and more comfortable living environment for landlords and tenants in the area. 

The focus is on conducting comprehensive rental property inspections, addressing key aspects that contribute to the overall private rental market quality in the region.  

ORS brings a wealth of experience gained from similar large-scale residential survey projects conducted for other Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. Our track record in providing a client-focused service, meeting tight deadlines, and delivering high-quality results positions us as a reliable partner for achieving DLR’s goals. 

The collaboration is already underway, with ORS and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council working diligently to implement the necessary measures.  

A visual inspection of the property includes the following: 

• An ORS property surveyor will contact the landlord/ agent, informing them of the requirement for the property to be inspected. 
• An inspection appointment will be arranged with the landlord/agent and/or tenant to inspect the relevant rented dwelling to assess whether the property complies with all the minimum standards in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. 
• The property surveyor will communicate the inspection findings in writing/ electronic mail to the landlord/agent and tenant, confirming compliance or non-compliance of the property.
• If all items are compliant DLRCC will contact the landlord to advise that no contraventions have been noted at this time and that the file is closed.
• Where there is a finding of non-compliance, an Improvement Letter will be issued to the landlord/agent and will state the works required to bring the dwelling into compliance and indicate that works should be completed by the landlord/agent within a 6-week timeframe. 
• A re-inspection will be undertaken to confirm that any non-compliance issues have been resolved.  
• The property surveyor will communicate the inspection findings in writing/ electronic mail to the landlord/agent and tenant, if there are non-compliant items in the property.
• If all items are compliant DLRCC will contact the landlord to advise that no contraventions have been noted at this time and that the file is closed.

The visual inspection should be at most 20 minutes if access to the property’s interior is readily available. Our inspectors will work efficiently through the process and aim to cause minimal disruption.  

Further information regarding the regulations and to understand the requirements for rented properties, landlords and tenants can visit the DLRCC website at this link.

The partnership between ORS and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council underscores the importance of proactive measures in ensuring that private rented accommodations meet the required standards, fostering a community where everyone can thrive.  

The project team can be contacted at prtbinspections@ors.ie or at +353 1 265 4267.

Find out more information here – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.