asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware of the hardships caused to people seeking housing accommodation in Dublin by reason of the fact that demands by landlords for key money oblige such people to incur debt to the extent of £28 or £30 in respect of even one room; and, if so, whether he will introduce proposals for legislation to prohibit this practice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - “Key Money” Demands.
Demands by landlords for key money or other valuable consideration in addition to the rent as a condition of the grant or renewal of a tenancy of any premises to which the Rent Restrictions Act, 1945, applies are expressly prohibited by Section 50 of that Act. A landlord requiring any such payment or such consideration is guilty of an offence under the section and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £100. Moreover, a tenant who may have made any such payment or given any such other consideration is entitled under the section to recover the amount or value thereof at any time within six years.
The Act of 1945 applies to the great majority of dwellings, and I think it very likely that the cases the Deputy has in mind are covered by the provisions of Section 50, to which I have referred. In these circumstances, I do not consider that any further legislative provisions are necessary.
Would the Minister consider, for the information of the public, publishing the facts as set out in his reply to the question?
I can depend on the daily Press, I think, to do that well enough. We have enough newspapers in the country.