asked the Minister for Justice if, with a view to taking appropriate remedial action, he will consider having an investigation instituted into the allegedly widespread practice in Dublin of landlords charging exorbitant rents for single rooms to young married couples and to others in need of housing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Dublin Rents.
43.
It is not proposed to extend rent control to dwellings that are exempt from control at present. I do not propose to institute an investigation of the kind suggested by the Deputy.
I am sure the Minister, like the rest of us, is aware of the grave discontent on both sides of the rents question, the property owners and the unfortunate people renting rooms. In order to help out in this grave and critical situation would the Minister consider establishing some form of rent tribunal to investigate each of these cases so that people on either side will have redress?
I assume the Deputy has in mind a tribunal something on the lines of that established in Britain in 1965. While that idea has, possibly, certain attractions, there would be doubt as to whether the establishment of such a non-judicial tribunal would be constitutional. There is that problem.
In view of the fact that so many people are clamouring for changes in the Constitution could we not make a really worthwhile one on this issue here to ensure justice for people paying exorbitant rents?
Would the Minister consider introducing legislation, which would be of considerable benefit to young married couples, making unenforceable any covenant to terminate a lease in the event of there being children in the family?
It is difficult for me to answer Deputy Ryan's point without the benefit of some legal advice but it would seem to me that if there is such a covenant in a lease—and I do not know whether such covenants are frequent—they may well be void as being against public policy. It seems to be a remarkably unpleasant type of covenant to include in a lease.
The Minister is, no doubt, aware that the practical problem is that most of the people against whom such a covenant is enforced are not in a position to finance constitutional action in the High and Supreme Courts to have this very point tested.
Is the Minister aware of the position in Dublin, that because of the grave shortage of housing young married couples are forced to go into the first available accommodation and are paying from £4 to £6 a week for single rooms, plus key money or six months rent in advance, amounting to £100 or £120? If the Minister is not aware of this, would he not consider holding an investigation to acquaint himself fully with the disastrous position prevailing in Dublin and the tremendous problem facing young married couples who have absolutely no place to go, who are completely unaware of rules and regulations and legal formalities and who are forced to go into the first room they can get?
This is the very point that was made by Deputy Moore in his supplementary questions. I am aware that there are difficulties of this kind and, as I pointed out here before on this point, a great many of the rooms and flats for which very high rents are being charged at present may well be subject to the control of the Rent Acts. Unfortunately many of the tenants or potential tenants, when they go to look at them, are not aware of their rights in that respect, and they should avail themselves of the advice that would be given to them on this point if they had any doubt in this regard.
In view of the Minister's well-known and intense pre-occupation with rights in relation to property, building and so on, would he not consider that there is an equally strong obligation on him to protect the rights particularly of young married couples who in many parts of this city and throughout the country are paying rents for a room and a kitchen, not of £4 to £6 per week but £6 to £8 even £9 per week? Such families have no hope whatever of saving to buy a house. Furthermore they have almost no protection under the law. Therefore would the Minister at least institute some tribunal along the lines of the 1965 British Act?
I answered that question five minutes ago.
That is an indication of the Minister's concern.