Standards for Private Rented Accommodation Training

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The Programme

The Institute of Public Administration, working in close collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage presents the updated Standards for Private Rented Accommodation Training Programme.

This training programme is for staff who have direct responsibilities related to enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. Administrative staff who work closely with these housing practitioners may also find it useful. 

The programme seeks to bring about a common understanding among Inspectorate Staff, and thereby a standardisation, in interpretation and implementation of the Regulations and Guidelines for Housing Authorities in Implementation of Standards in Rented Accommodation, both within individual local authorities and across the sector generally. 

The programme will be delivered over three days via Microsoft Teams from 9:15 am to 5:00 pm each day. The modules will involve a variety of training methods including presentations, delivered by experienced housing practitioners and sector experts, group exercises and discussions. 

Who is this for?

The Standards for Private Rented Accommodation Training Programme is ideally suited for newcomers into the area of enforcement of the minimum standards. It will enable all participants share individual experiences and approaches as currently adopted, as well as providing an opportunity to network with other Inspectorate Staff. It is also open to HSE Environmental Health Officers and third party private contractors undertaking rental inspections on behalf of Local Authorities.

Course Content

Indicative Course Content is outlined below.  Module Content may be updated, as appropriate, to reflect any changes that may be made to the regulations. 

Module One: Housing & Health, Tools & Techniques; Enforcement

In this module, the focus will be on explaining the connection between housing and health; the tools and techniques necessary to help establish/ develop a fully functional and efficient Inspectorate Function within their local authority. Emphasis will also be on ensuring that participants fully understand the enforcement and related procedures to be followed and the practical processes that need to be developed and embedded within their Inspectorate Function. 

The topics to be covered include: 

• Conducting Effective Inspections; Staff Considerations / Roles 
• Support Tenant Participation; Effective Defect Diagnosis 
• Standardised Forms & Reporting 
• Internal Communication 
• Developing Inter-Agency Relationships 
• Effective Information Sharing; External Communication 
• Multi-Agency response; Evaluation of Reporting 
• Performance Indicators; Benchmarking Activity; Conduct Inspection  
• Complaints and Obstruction 
• Improvement Letters and Notices 
• Prohibition Notices; Legal proceedings 
• Enforcement Process and Procedure 

Module Two: Regulations & Guidelines  

The objective of this module is to give participants a clearer understanding of the regulations themselves, i.e. Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and the Guidelines for Housing Authorities in Implementation of Standards in Rented Accommodation. The practical differences between the Regulations and Guidelines will be explained; in addition, direction will be provided on how each should be applied by Inspectorate Staff with a view to standardising the interpretation and approach in bringing rental properties into compliance with the minimum standards.  

Areas to be covered include: 

• Structural Condition 
• Sanitary & Heating Facilities 
• Food Preparation, Storage and Laundry (and AHB exemption) 
• Ventilation and Lighting 
• Gas, Oil and Electricity 
• Refuse 

Module Three: Good Practice/Implementation  

This module seeks to give participants the knowledge necessary to help establish/develop a fully functional and efficient Inspectorate Function within their local authority. The following will be covered: 

• Housing Policy Statement; Inspection Requirements 
• Responsiveness to Complaints; Balanced Inspection Planning 
• Identify and Prioritise Targets and Targeted Inspection Activity; Communication Strategy  
• Follow-Up Inspections and Enforcement 
• Resource and Training 
• Data Capture and Management Systems 
• Use Data to Improve Evaluation and Learning Outcomes 
• Role of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) 
• Fire Safety 

Assessment

Impact Assessment Quiz:

Participants will be invited to complete a multiple-choice Impact Assessment Quiz two weeks after the training. 

This online quiz is designed to help embed the information provided by the course. A certificate of completion will be issued to all participants who complete the modules and quiz. 

Course Leader

This programme will be delivered by experienced Housing Practitioners and  Sector Experts.