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The Institute of Public Administration, working in close collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage presents the Standards for Rented Houses Training Programme. This training programme is for all staff, both professional/technical and administrative, who have responsibilities related to enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.

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 both within individual local authorities and across the sector generally.

The programme consists of four (4) modules, however, in order to minimise the time away from work for participants, training will be delivered over two separate two-day workshops. The modules will involve a variety of training methods including presentations, delivered by experienced housing practitioners and sector experts, group exercises and discussions.

This course 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.

Standards for Rented Houses

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Key Facts

Delivery Method

The Standards for Rented Houses is a four day training programme delivered over four x one day Modules which will take place from 9:30am - 4:00pm (approximately) on each scheduled date. The modules will involve a variety of training methods including presentations - delivery by experienced housing practitioners and sector experts - group exercises and discussions. 

The February/March and April/May modules will be delivered online.  The September/October modules will be delivered in person at the Mullingar Park Hotel. 

This training will be facilitated by subject matter experts.

Scheduled Dates are:

February / March course
Modules 1 & 2: 19 and 20 February 2024 (Online)
Modules 3 & 4: 7 and 8 March 2024 (Online)
Please note that the February/March course is now fully booked.

April / May course
Modules 1 & 2: 11 and 12 April 2024 (Online)
Modules 3 & 4: 22 and 23 May 2024 (Online)

September/October course
Modules 1 & 2: 17 and 18 September 2024 (In Person)
Modules 3 & 4: 16 and 17 October 2024 (In Person)
The September/October course will be held at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Commences

11 & 12 April 2024 | 17 & 18 September 2024 Bookings for this course close one week in advance of start date.

Duration

Four Days

Accreditation

Housing Training Network

Fees & Enrolment

Fee: The total cost of this four-day course is €960* per person. 33% of the total cost of this course is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and therefore the cost of attendance will be €640* per person.    Accommodation is not included in the fee.

Booking: Bookings must be received in writing  the online booking option (see below).

Numbers attending this programme are limited to 30 people so early booking is recommended to secure a place.  There is a limit of four bookings per local authority on this course.  Bookings must be received in writing using the online form below. Please note that places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

All bookings will be confirmed via email. Please send completed booking forms to:

Central Bookings Office
Institute of Public Administration
57-61 Lansdowne Road, Dublin D04 TC62
Tel: (01) 240 3666  | Fax: (01) 668 9135
Email: training@ipa.ie

Cancellation Policy: Please note, that in the event of a cancellation less than 48 working hours before the commencement of a workshop, a 15% cancellation fee will be charged.  Cancellation fee will also apply to non-arrivals on the day.

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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 Standards for Rented Houses Training Programme. This training programme is for all staff, both professional/technical and administrative, who have responsibilities related to enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.

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 both within individual local authorities and across the sector generally.

The programme consists of four (4) modules, however, in order to minimise the time away from work for participants, training will be delivered over two separate two-day workshops. The modules will involve a variety of training methods including presentations, delivered by experienced housing practitioners and sector experts, group exercises and discussions.

This course 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.

Who is this for?

The Standards for Rented Houses Training Programme is for all local authority staff, both professional / technical and  administrative, who have responsibilities related to enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.

This course 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 1: Regulations and 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.
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
  • Fire Safety; Refuse
  • Gas, Oil and Electricity

Module 2: 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)

Module 3: Housing and Health, Rent Books, Tools & Techniques, Enforcement

In this module, the focus will be on explaining the connection between housing and health; the importance of rent books, and the tools and techniques necessary to help establish/ develop a fully functional and efficient Inspectorate Function within their local authority. 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

Module 4: Enforcement and Class Presentation

The theme of the final module will be enforcement. Therefore, the emphasis will 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 aspects to be covered
include:

  • Presentation and Peer Review of Inspection
  • Complaints and Obstruction
  • Improvement Letters and Notices
  • Prohibition Notices; Legal proceedings
  • Enforcement Process and Procedure

For the final part of the module, the participants will present their research findings to the class.

Modules will be updated, as appropriate, to reflect any changes that may be made to the regulations themselves and also to reflect feedback from previously completed programmes.

Assessment

Course Requirements:

To support the learning process, participants will be required to undertake a small research exercise (between modules two & three) and present their findings to the class at the end of module four.

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.

Course Leader

Each module of this programme will be delivered by an experienced Housing Practitioner \ Sector Expert.

  • Module One wil be delivered by Peter Clarke, retired lecturer, DIT and a member of Fire Safety, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
  • Module Two will be delivered by Sarah Walsh, The Housing Agency, Lucia Crimin, Residential Tenancies Board.
  • Module Three will be delivered by Claire O'Connor, Senior Environmental Health Officer, Dublin City Council.
  • Module Four will be delivered by Ciarán Donohoe, Senior Environmental Health Officer, Dublin City Council.

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