2005 Press Releases
UCC Seminar to examine implications of new Residential Tenancies Legislation
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 establishes a new legislative framework for residential lettings and has dramatic implications for practice.
The Act covers a broad range of issues including security of tenure for tenants. The basic provision is that a tenant who clocks up six months continuous occupation as tenant of a dwelling qualifies for statutory protection and will be entitled to remain in possession for a further period of 3 years (i.e. a four-year period in total). This right is subject to the landlord's entitlement to terminate the tenancy in certain carefully defined circumstances. Rents may not be set at a level that exceeds the market rate and there are restrictions on the frequency of rent reviews.
All of the Act is now in place. On Tuesday next, 15 February, UCC's Faculty of Law will host a seminar aimed at solicitors, barristers, auctioneers, estate agents, management companies and local authorities, NGOs working in the housing law field, and student representatives to explain the most important features of the legislation and examine the practical implications of the Act.
The Seminar, chaired by Marie Baker, SC will commence with an overview of the 2004 Act by Dr Áine Ryall of the Faculty of Law, UCC. The Director of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), Brian O'Neill, will speak on the PRTB and the Dispute Resolution Procedure followed by Questions and a Panel Discussion. Sheila McMahon, Assistant Principal, Housing Division, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will join the speakers for the Panel Discussion.
According to Dr Áine Ryall of the Faculty of Law, who organised the seminar: "The strong demand for places at our seminar demonstrates the practical importance of the new rules governing residential tenancies for landlords, tenants and their advisors. The new legislation has dramatic implications for day to day letting practice and for the drafting of letting agreements. The new rules are complex and there is an obvious demand for information on the legislation. The idea behind our seminar is to provide a basic overview of the 2004 Act and to provide practitioners with a forum in which to tease out and discuss practical issues involving the legislation."
Dr Ryall explained that the Faculty of Law will be organising further seminars relevant to residential tenancies in the autumn as part of the Faculty's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
The Seminar, which is already booked out, takes place on Tuesday next, 15 February, 5.00-7.30 pm, Aula Maxima, UCC.
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