Residential landlords are requesting an urgent meeting with the Minister for the Environment to seek reassurances they will not be asked to pay water charges on behalf of tenants who fall into arrears or fail to pay.
Fintan McNamara, of the Residential Landlords Association, said Alan Kelly has suggested that if tenants do not pay the charge, landlords will be obliged to withhold the money from their deposits and pass it on to Irish Water.
Mr McNamara said he is seeking clarity on the issue after landlords were advised by Irish Water that they should provide the names of tenants who have yet to register for the charge.
By law, the occupier of a property is liable to pay domestic water charges, unless they can prove they do not live at the address.
Tenants have been urged to register their details with Irish Water, in advance of the first residential bills being sent to households next month.
The company says there's been a low uptake across the rental sector, with only about half the number of people living in rented accommodation having registered their details.
By law the occupier of a property is liable to pay domestic water charges, unless they can prove they don't live at the address.
Following clarification from the Data Protection Commission, Irish Water says it's now able to seek the names of tenants from landlords who wish to prove they are renting out their properties.
The utility can then engage with tenants directly.
Irish Water spokesperson Elizabeth Arnett says the Government has signalled that it may introduce legislation to deal with any debts which are not paid by tenants.
