Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
108. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any plans to amend legislation, whereby people who rent properties in rent pressure zones and their existing tenants leave of their own accord, to allow the property owner then rent the property at market value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32951/23]
View answerI have no plans to alter the Residential Tenancies Act in this regard at this time but I do keep the operation of the Acts under constant review and I will make timely amendments, as may be required.
I 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/.
