The residential tenancies board can order landlords to pay damages where the landlord fails to maintain the structure and interior of the dwelling to a standard which meets the Housing Standards Regulations.
In the case of Alison Stone (tenant) v Kevin Conroy (landlord), the tribunal ordered Mr Conroy to pay €15,000 for damages for multiple failures of the landlord to meet the standards including failure to address a sewage problem.
This award represented a significant increase on the €2,000 awarded to the tenant at adjudication.
The case highlights the necessity for landlords to be aware of their obligations and for tenants to be aware of their rights when it comes to housing standards.
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