Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
883. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an extension to the three-month moratorium on evictions due to expire on 30 June 2020 has been considered particularly for persons with an underlying health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13075/20]
View answer884. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the ban on evictions and rent increases will be extended to at least the end of 2020 in order to protect persons from homelessness and give local government the space to cope with an overburdened housing crisis with diminished funds due to Covid-19. [13230/20]
View answer896. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is considering extending the ban of housing evictions due to Covid-19; if tenants engaging in antisocial behaviour will be excluded from such a ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13416/20]
View answer904. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the rent freeze and ban on evictions beyond July 2020 will be extended until the end of January 2021 to provide stability and security for renters that will be disproportionately affected by Covid-19 and the financial aftermath of same. [13625/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 883, 884, 896 and 904 together.
With effect from 27 March 2020, under new emergency measures introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period, tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances. The measures also prohibit any increase to rent for the duration of the emergency period. These emergency laws initially applied for a period of 3 months from the enactment of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 but, on the request of the former Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, the former Government, by Order, extended their application until 20 July 2020.
Under the legislation, the process for any extension of the COVID-19 emergency period involves the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government requesting the Government to make an Order, having consulted with the Minister for Health and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Government must consider it appropriate and be satisfied that it is in the public interest to extend the emergency period having regard to the following:
- the threat to public health;
- the highly contagious nature of COVID-19; and
- the need to restrict the movement of persons to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Any future request to Government to make an Order to extend the emergency period will be made at the appropriate time and in accordance with the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020.
Where a tenant is engaging in anti-social behaviour, a notice of termination cannot be served during the emergency period; however, tenants must continue to pay rent and observe the other normal terms and conditions of their lease. An Garda Síochána should be contacted, if necessary, to safeguard the local community and property.
The RTB would encourage landlords and tenants to communicate with each other during the emergency period to see if a resolution to any disputes can be found. The RTB is also encouraging all customers who may require assistance or advice to contact them via their web chat service as there may be delays to their phone lines during the emergency period. The webchat service can be accessed at the following link: https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/contact-us/.
