Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
435. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options open to landlords and tenants in cases in which the tenant is under a termination notice in view of the current moratorium on rent increases and evictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22289/20]
View answerWith effect from 1 August 2020, the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 introduces protections for those tenants who are facing rent arrears and, as a result, are at risk of losing their tenancy. If a tenant’s ability to pay rent has been impacted by Covid-19 and the tenant meets specific criteria, new procedures and protections apply. Tenants who follow these procedures cannot be required to vacate their rental accommodation before 11 January 2021, and are not required to pay any rent increase in respect of the period ending 10 January 2021.
For tenancies other than those in rent arrears, the usual laws on how to end a tenancy apply again from 2 August 2020. Terminations are now permitted to be served in such cases and tenants must vacate on the termination date specified in a valid Notice of Termination.
For all landlords who served a Notice of Termination before the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 and had the termination notice period paused, those notice periods recommence with effect from 2 August 2020.
I urge tenants and landlords to discuss problems promptly, keep lines of communication open and respect each other’s positions. If the problem cannot be resolved, registered landlords and all tenants can apply to the RTB for dispute resolution. Further information is available on www.rtb.ie.
