How can we expect this government to solve the rental crisis when they don’t seem to understand their own legislation?
Rent hikes of 8pc across the country must be stopped, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan.
Deputy O’Callaghan said:
“A rent freeze implemented for the duration of the pandemic is set to be lifted in July – meaning, some landlords can apply a double rent increase from that month.
“Allowing rent increases of 8pc is utterly unacceptable. This would mean average increases of €140 per month in Dublin and €100 per month across the rest of the country. Rents are already at record high rates. This price gouging must be stopped.
“In the Dáil yesterday, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar confessed to being oblivious to the fact that rents could imminently increase by 8pc. This lack of knowledge – about a law the Tánaiste’s own party introduced – typifies the ignorance in government generally about the extent of the rental crisis.
“How can we expect this government to solve the rental crisis when they don’t seem to understand their own legislation?
“Dublin is already one of the most expensive places in Europe to rent or buy a home. Housing costs in Dublin are higher than in Paris, Rome or Berlin. Allowing these rent increases to go ahead will make a very bad situation much worse.
“Outside Dublin, rents are already spiralling – up 7.1pc in the past year. Now, renters are faced with a further hike of 8pc. This is unsustainable.
“The government’s rent pressure zone policy has been an abject failure. It has done nothing to stop runaway rents. In fact, rents have almost doubled in a decade. We need to provide people with proper security of tenure and rent controls that actually work and are fair for all.
“Crucially, these new rent controls must apply to new properties to end the endless cycle of exorbitant hikes in rent – much of which has been fuelled by big international investment funds.
“The past year has been extremely difficult. As well as the public health crisis, there has been a jobs crisis and an income crisis, which has disproportionately impacted young people – those most likely to rent.
“There is a full month until these potential rent increases kick in. The Government has no excuse for inaction on this.”
28 May, 2021
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