PRTB- What are the views of those whove used it to settle disputes?Is it underfunded?

Hey there,

First off I have not had to deal with the PRTB yet (apart from sending them my €70 each residency). I also dont work for the PRTB by the way!

I watched one of those reports on RTE at night where they cover a committee etc and I saw the one dealing with the PRTB. It was late but I think I can remember the figures.

The PRTB took in something like €7.5 last year with the majority of the money ring-fenced to be send to local Co. Councils to pay for inspectors to examine whether the properties are up to standard. The committee seemed to be focussing on inspections (opposition councillors taking the stance that we have to look after the people being exploited etc without addressing whether the PRTB is adequetely funded to look after disputes etc)

In fact there was NO mention of disputes with the majority of the money seemingly not available to the PRTB at all! Aneqdotal evidence suggests that there appears to be an enormous delay in getting problems sorted. Why is there no outcry from Tenants or from Landlords. Is it that wealthy landlords just use existing legal procedures to evit tenants or deal with issues thus bypassing the PRTB. Are tenants happy enough that there are so many other apts that if there is a problem they just move on.

I think a push should be made from both sides to say that the PRTB should be funded adequetely so that any dispute must be adjudicated on with 30 days of the complaint submission otherwise why have the board? A landlord cant have unpaid rent for a year and a tenant cant have a miserable situation either? I used to think they werent doing their job but it seems that they arent being given much of the money we send them.

Any opinions?

Thanks

Re: PRTB- What are the views of those whove used it to settle disputes?Is it underfun

Regardless of the reason the end effect is that the job is not getting done.
Current time from application to hearing is > 6 months.
Adjucation and Mediation should be the primary function.

PRTB are also pouring a lot of resources into decking out their rather plush offices, money that also would be better used in removing their backlogs.
There is no outcry as neither tenants nor landlords have a voice.
The PRTB should be a powerful Board that is capable of nailing those who break the rules of either the Tenancies Act, or the agreed contract, to the wall.
Series fines backed up by court appearances would be good incentive for everyone to play nice and never have to approach the Board in the first place.

They appear to be missing two rather critical roles namely http://www.prtb.ie/Careers.htm ... hope they fill them fast!

If you are reading this thread and are looking for more information about the PRTB and its operations you can contact minister@environ.ie.