Government to extend legislation that protects renters from evictions and rent increases
DUBLIN: The Government plans to extend the law that was brought in to help renters from the COVID-19 disaster. Various political parties and charities had called for an extension of the law, which expires next month. It is in this context that the government has decided to reintroduce legal protection against evictions and rent increases. Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien is expected to introduce legislation in this regard to the Cabinet next week. The existing law is due to expire on 12 July.
Opposition parties had pointed out that thousands of tenants living in pressure zones would see an 8% increase from next month. According to the 2016 legislation, a landlord is allowed to raise rent by 8% in a pressure zone if they did not raise rent by the allowable 4% the previous year.
The Department of Housing has announced that the pressure zones will expire by the end of this year and that rent reforms will be introduced through the Oireachtas in the Autumn.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that legislation to address loopholes in the law that allow for an 8% rent increase for tenants will be enacted soon. He said the Government is doing everything it can to assist tenants.
Mr. Martin said that the Minister for Housing will soon present proposals to extend rental protections beyond July 12th. He said there are also plans to provide long-term security to tenants.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said a good percentage of people are suffering because of high rents. Ms McDonald also demanded that the proposed law be brought before summer.
Solidarity-PBP Paul Murphy said “we have a Government of landlords for the landlords”. Murphy added that Ireland has the highest rent in the world. The Taoiseach denied the allegations and said: “The Government does not represent landlords.” He said the Government is proposing to include a right to housing in the Constitution.
Senator Rebecca Moynihan, and the Labour party Spokesperson on Housing called for a rent freeze for at least three years.
Kindly click the link below to join WhatsApp group chat to get important news and breaking news from Irish Samachar
Comments are closed.