Local authorities in Ireland have been given stronger powers to regulate the standard of privately rented housing.

The enforcement capabilities will help ensure accommodation complies with much tighter minimum regulations, the Housing Minister said.

Proper maintenance of the external appearance of rented property has also been specified as a requirement of the laws.

Michael Finneran said the regulations were the final elements of the package of measures approved by the government last year to improve standards in rental accommodation.

"With the commencement of provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the government has now fully delivered on its commitment in Towards 2016, to update the minimum standards regulations for the private rented sector," said Minister Finneran.

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The first element of the package came into effect in February, giving stronger sanctioning powers to housing authorities.

It produced a clearer and stronger definition of what constitutes a "proper state of structural repair".

This was aimed at helping housing authorities to successfully prosecute landlords where they find substandard accommodation.

"I find it unacceptable that in many areas the rented properties are obvious by their poorly-kept façade," said the Minister.

"This new legislation specifies that the general responsibility for the external appearance of rental accommodation lies with the landlord and gives housing authorities enforceable grounds on which to deal with landlords in this regard," he said.

"Enforcement remains key to the success of the regulations and to eliminating sub-standard accommodation from the rental sector."

(PR/KMcA)