No window/ventilation in bedroom

gpos

Hello

Could someone please shed some light on this for me?

Is it legal to rent out a bedroom with no window*, no ventilation and no fire escape?

*There is a transom window (internal) that does not open - see attachment.
There is a very small adjoining ensuite. This has no window. There is an extractor fan (which can be turned on).

I have visited:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting_a_home/repairs_maintenance_and_minimum_physical_standards.html

edellc

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,19428,en.pdf

Habitable rooms
9. In each habitable room there must be an openable external window/door.
10. The openable section of the window/door must be a minimum of 1/20th of the
floor area.
11. In each habitable room wall/window vents must be unobstructed.
12. The vent must provide 6500sq mm of ventilation.
*Ventilation of Habitable Rooms through other rooms and spaces
Two habitable rooms may be treated as a single room for ventilation purposes if there
is an area of permanent opening between them equal to at least 1/20th of the
combined floor areas (see Diagram).
There must be a permanent opening between the two rooms equal to 1/20th of the
combined floor area for the two rooms to be considered as one.
The “other” room must have provision for rapid ventilation equal to at least 1/20th of
the combined floor area and 6500 mm2 background ventilation.

so no its not legal, you can report the property to threshold, make the landlord aware of this and give notice to leave stating that you deposit will be due back in full less any deduction for cleaning above that of general wear and tear providing that it is needed and receipts must be produced for any deductions
if no deposit is returned report the landlord to the prtb

we will not stop this disgrace of a rental market unless we the tenants demand decent accommodation and the only way to make a change is to take action by not renting below standards and illegal properties and reporting such standards when they arise

gpos

Thank you very much edellc.

From the same document, I also found:

The following will prove compliance with the Regulations:
1. There is adequate natural lighting in all habitable rooms.
2. There is adequate artificial lighting for the circulation routes and all rooms
used or intended for use by the tenant.
3. Any window in the room containing a bath and/or shower and a watercloset is
adequately screened e.g. by a blind or by means of frosted glass.


So this room is non-compliant under Article 9 (Ventilation) and Article 10 (Lighting) of the Housing Regulations 2008?
The room is not currently in use.



From my observations, the kitchen is also non-compliant:

Kitchen
1. The room containing a kitchen (of more than 6.5 sqm in floor area) has a wall
or window vent.
2. The vent must provide 6500sq mm of ventilation.
3. The room containing a kitchen (of more than 6.5sqm in floor area) must have
an openable window section or door directly to external air. In a kitchen of less
than 6.5 sqm in area, which does not contain an openable window to external
air, the mechanical extract ventilation should include an automatic 15 minutes
over-run or be controlled by a humidistat and provision should be made for air
supply via a 10mm gap under the door or equivalent. *
4. The area of this openable section must be a minimum of 1/20th of floor area.
5. In the room containing a kitchen (of any size) there must be mechanical
extract ventilation or ceiling/wall vent exiting at or above roof level (passive
stack vent).


I don't see any similar publication on the website of the Department of the Environment specifically for tenants?

riclad

theres no rule that all tenants must have acess to a fire escape, I think building regulations state there should be a window in all bathrooms .IE a window,Which can be opened,Most apartments have balconys, very few have a fire escape.
I think dublin city council is responsible for inspecting private rented flats.
Part of building regs is to provide ventilation to all rooms in a building.
look at priory hall ,it was never inspected until a fire broke out,then it was closed down.

engineermike

TGD - Ventilation F

Means of
ventilation.
F 1

Adequate means of ventilation shall be provided for
people in buildings. This shall be achieved by
a) limiting the moisture content of the air within the
building so that it does not contribute to condensation and
mould growth, and
b) limiting the concentration of harmful pollutants in the
air within the building.

Under these criteria the room is in fact in breach of requirement. This doesn't take into account - adequate means of escape if required, or if window is made to open - safety catches to prevent fall from first floor window.
Background ventialtion may take care of the requirement - i.e. a trickle vent, however if means of escape is required by the layout of the property (a more complex matter) the window opening / closing should be resolved.
Hope this was helpful,
Mike f