A Dubliner's Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 ... - Dublin.ie
A Dubliner's Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 ... - Dublin.ie
A Dubliner's Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 ... - Dublin.ie
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of <strong>the</strong> part<strong>ie</strong>s and investigate <strong>the</strong><br />
dispute fully. The Adjudica<strong>to</strong>r will<br />
decide how <strong>the</strong> dispute is <strong>to</strong> be<br />
resolved.<br />
The matter will be referred <strong>to</strong> a<br />
Tenancy Tribunal if any of <strong>the</strong> part<strong>ie</strong>s<br />
wishes <strong>to</strong> appeal <strong>the</strong> Adjudica<strong>to</strong>r’s<br />
decision within 21 days, or in <strong>the</strong> event<br />
that mediation is unsuccessful and any<br />
of <strong>the</strong> part<strong>ie</strong>s request a Tribunal<br />
hearing. In certain exceptional cases,<br />
<strong>the</strong> PRTB may refer a dispute directly<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tribunal, e.g. where <strong>the</strong>re<br />
appears <strong>to</strong> be imminent risk of<br />
damage <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> dwelling or danger <strong>to</strong><br />
one of <strong>the</strong> part<strong>ie</strong>s.<br />
A mediation agreement or adjudication<br />
decision that is not appealed will<br />
become a binding determination order<br />
of <strong>the</strong> PRTB in resolution of <strong>the</strong><br />
dispute.<br />
9.6 The Tenancy Tribunal<br />
Each Tenancy Tribunal will consist of<br />
three persons who have relevant<br />
professional knowledge and<br />
exper<strong>ie</strong>nce. The Tenancy Tribunal<br />
holds its hearings in public. There<br />
should be 21 days notice of <strong>the</strong><br />
hearing before <strong>the</strong> Tribunal. A shorter<br />
period can be allowed if <strong>the</strong> part<strong>ie</strong>s<br />
involved agree, or if <strong>the</strong>re is an<br />
immediate danger <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> structure of<br />
<strong>the</strong> dwelling or <strong>the</strong> health and safety of<br />
<strong>the</strong> tenant. Although its procedures are<br />
relatively informal and user-fr<strong>ie</strong>ndly,<br />
basic court rules will be appl<strong>ie</strong>d by <strong>the</strong><br />
PRTB.<br />
The part<strong>ie</strong>s will be allowed participate<br />
fully and give <strong>the</strong>ir evidence. The<br />
part<strong>ie</strong>s may, if <strong>the</strong>y wish, be<br />
represented at <strong>the</strong> Tribunal and bring<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir own witnesses. However, it<br />
should be borne in mind that <strong>the</strong> costs<br />
of witnesses or professional<br />
representation will not generally be<br />
awarded by <strong>the</strong> Tribunal.<br />
Where it considers it appropriate <strong>the</strong><br />
Tribunal may summon witnesses, in<br />
this case expenses are provided <strong>to</strong><br />
witnesses. The Tribunal may also<br />
require <strong>the</strong> production of any<br />
document and take evidence under<br />
oath. It is considered an offence <strong>to</strong><br />
provide false information <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Board<br />
or <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tribunal.<br />
The Tribunal is <strong>to</strong> conduct its hearings<br />
in public but <strong>the</strong> Board may decide<br />
that <strong>the</strong> part<strong>ie</strong>s involved are not <strong>to</strong> be<br />
identif<strong>ie</strong>d.<br />
The Tribunal’s determination of <strong>the</strong><br />
dispute will be issued <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> part<strong>ie</strong>s as<br />
a determination order of <strong>the</strong> PRTB and<br />
is binding unless appealed, within 21<br />
days, <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> High Court on a point of<br />
law. The PRTB’s determination orders<br />
will be published.<br />
9.7 Determinations of <strong>the</strong><br />
Tribunal<br />
Determinations refer <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> outcomes<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Tribunal. These outcomes might<br />
include:<br />
• That a certain amount (rent or cost)<br />
be paid;<br />
• That <strong>the</strong> amount of rent is not <strong>the</strong><br />
market rent;<br />
• That all or some of a deposit should<br />
be returned;<br />
• That damages be paid;<br />
• That <strong>the</strong> tenant should leave <strong>the</strong><br />
dwelling;<br />
• That a notice served by ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong><br />
tenant or <strong>the</strong> landlord is valid or not<br />
valid;<br />
A <strong>Dublin</strong>er’s <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Residential</strong> <strong>Tenanc<strong>ie</strong>s</strong> <strong>Act</strong>, <strong>2004</strong> 22<br />
(Updated January 2008)