AHBRA welcomes the commencement of further regulatory powers and functions by Minister O’Brien

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, signed the commencement order with effect from 1st January 2022, providing the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) with further powers and functions.

From 1 January 2022, AHBRA will have responsibility for establishing and maintaining the register of AHBs and for registering organisations as AHBs. All AHBs currently on the Department’s register will be automatically deemed to be registered with AHBRA as and from 1st January 2022.

Minister O’Brien commented:

“AHBRA is an important element in support of our ambitious housing agenda, overseeing the effective governance, financial management and performance of all AHBs. AHBs make a vital contribution to the delivery of social housing across the country. Statutory regulation will provide further assurances to tenants, the public and potential investors that AHBs operate in a secure environment. I am pleased that AHBRA will shortly have these functions.”

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage press release can be  found by clicking here.

The following sections of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 have been commenced:

  1. paragraph (a), (b), (d), (f), (g), (i) and (j) of subsection (1) of section 9 Functions of the Regulator
  2. section 24 Information relating to offences
  3. sections 25, 26, 27, 28,29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 on Registration
  4. section 34 Deemed registered
  5. section 35 Prohibited conduct
  6. section 36 Require information
  7. subsections (7) and (8) of section 37 Standards
  8. sections 53 and 54 Protection of tenants and AHBs
  9. sections 55 and 56 Regulatory notices and examinership
  10. section 57, 58, 59 and 60 Cancellation
  11. section 62, 63 and 64 Appeals Board
  12. sections 67 and 68 Amendments
  13. sections 69 and 70 Transitional provisions

This is another significant milestone towards the implementation of all AHBRA’s regulatory functions. Further information on these functions, including the impacts and requirements for AHBs will be communicated by AHBRA over the coming weeks.

To learn more about AHBRA’s role or registration for AHBs, including our future communication events, please check our website.

All AHBs should join our mailing list to ensure they receive important updates on these functions and all aspects of AHBRA’s role. To join the mailing list please email  communications@ahbregulator.ie.  For all other queries please contact info@ahbregulator.ie