Kelly’s botched approach to rent certainty will lead to further pain for tenants – FF

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Environment and Local Government Barry Cowen TD says Minister Alan Kelly’s ‘rent certainty’ proposals could lead to significant rent hikes for people in the short term.

Deputy Cowen commented, “I am very concerned that these compromise measures we are hearing about through media reports will cause real harm and create the opposite of certainty for tenants.

“Minister Kelly intends to legislatively restrict rent rises for two years. However these measures will encourage landlords to get rid of their current tenants in order to hike up rents for new tenants before signing a two year rent agreement. These compromise measures create the worst of both worlds. They fail to introduce measures to restrict rent increases between tenancies which mean current tenants are in jeopardy.

“The Governments proposals will incentivise landlords to evict tenants in the short term so they can hike up rents before they sign a two year tenancy agreement with a new tenant. These measures will also encourage landlords to disproportionately increase rents in the short term, before new two year contracts are entered into.

“It is encouraging to see that Minister Kelly has finally taken on board some of Fianna Fáil’s proposals in terms of protecting tenants’ rights and tackling rogue tenants. However his failure to act earlier to deal with the housing crisis has put unbearable pressure on families. Rents have been spiralling out of control and for many these new measures come far too late in the day.

“Fianna Fáil’s rent certainty proposals would reduce rent rises immediately by restricting rents to an area-based rental index both within and between tenancies. Our proposals would not create an incentive for landlords to evict current tenants, as the Government measures will do.

“We will encourage long term leases to give tenants greater security in their occupancy and to allow families to consider renting as a longer term option. The Government plan will make tenancies more short term, and more uncertain,” said Deputy Cowen.