From Complaints Committee to Rent Tribunal: When to Refer?
The Rent Tribunal handles disputes where the housing association committee stops, especially regarding rent price and housing quality. If your complaint concerns housing association conduct, start with the internal committee; for price objections, go directly to the Rent Tribunal.
Differences and Referral
- Rent Tribunal: binding on rent price, liberalisation threshold, defects.
- Refer when the committee indicates: 'outside mandate'.
- Deadline: within 2 months after landlord's response.
Free procedure with hearing. Decisions are directly enforceable. Statutory: Rent Tribunal Fees Act. Use this for point assessment of housing quality or service charges. Successful in cases of overcharging; savings up to thousands of euros. Combine with Tenants' Union advice for the strongest case.