Fianna Fail is calling for a new NCT style test to tackle the problems in the private rented sector.

Spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Barry Cowen TD also called for Local Authorities to be strengthened and expanded.

His call came after an RTE documentary highlighted serious cases of negligence by landlords in the sector, which is due to be aired tonight, 02 November.

He said: "There are over 175,000 landlords across the country with some 325,000 tenancies registered with the Residential Tenancies Board.

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"Over 20% of people in Ireland live in the private rented sector. However, the scale of this shift has not been met with sufficient powers and resources to regulate it.

"Shocking breaches in standards of decency and health and safety appear to be becoming all too common across the country. We need to ensure that each local authority is equipped to inspect units to ensure they meet the minimum criteria.

"Fianna Fáil has called for a new NCT style test for accommodation to ensure that renters know each unit is up to standard. Issuing a Local Authority Quality Accommodation Certificate once every three years would help to build up a strong level of quality homes.

"The certificate should be based on a points system across a range of criteria such as insulation, water supply, quality of Households' conveniences etc. The new certificate system would be similar to the NCT or BER system and would help ensure the highest standards are maintained in rental accommodation. Renters can use the certificate and rating to assess the quality of the house."

(CD/LM)