As stated in answer to question number 354 of 30 May 2023, the process for designating a Local Authority area is the same as designating a Local Electoral Area.
In the case of the local authority area of County Louth, the criteria to be satisfied under section 24A(4) of the Residential Tenancies Acts for designation as a RPZ are as follows:
- the information relating to the area, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, shows that the annual rate of increase in the average amount of rent for that area is more than 7% in each of at least 4 of the 6 quarters preceding the period immediately prior to the date of the Housing Agency's proposal, and
- the average rent for the area in the last quarter, as determined by reference to the information used to compile each RTB Rent Index quarterly report, is in the case of any LEA outside of the Greater Dublin Area (i.e. Dublin, Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow), above the average rent in the State excluding rents in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA)..
Each RTB quarterly Rent Index Report includes a table of the data used to establish whether each LEA fulfills the criteria for designation as an RPZ.
The data from the Rent Index Report for Q4 2022 relating to the local authority area of County Louth is detailed in the table below:
|
Local Authority (LA)
|
Quarters >7%
|
2022 Q4
|
|
Louth
|
2
|
€1,250.64
|
While rental inflation in the County Louth area has been above the Non-GDA Standardised Average Rent of €1,130.97, the LA has only been above 7% in 2 of the last 6 quarters, thereby not satisfying the criteria for designation as an RPZ at this time.
Section 24A(6) of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 states:
“(6) Where a local area is prescribed by order as a rent pressure zone and, subsequently, any local electoral areas are duly amended in a manner that affects the area of the local electoral area so prescribed, then the order shall continue to have effect as if the local electoral are concerned had not been so amended.”
I also would like to draw your attention to the thorough review of the private rental sector which is currently underway in my Department. This will ascertain what an improved fully functioning private rental sector should look like in the long term, and members of the public are now being invited to participate in the comprehensive review. This delivers on an undertaking given in the Housing for All Action Plan Update from November 2022.
The review will take into account the significant regulatory changes over the past several years in the residential rental market. It will draw conclusions on how our housing system can be enhanced to provide an efficient, affordable, viable, safe, and secure framework for both landlords and tenants. The Government will act on the review’s recommendations.
A central aspect of the review is targeted engagement with various stakeholders and direct public input via a public consultation process - further details are available at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/consultation/ea0ea-public-consultation-review-of-the-private-residential-rental-sector/.
