Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
572. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how he will combat rent increases, if and when he will introduce rent controls, what these rent controls will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43772/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. Section 19 of the Act provides that in setting the rent under a tenancy, whether at the outset or by way of a review, the rent must not be greater than the market rent. Section 20 provides for the frequency with which rent reviews may occur.
On 10 November 2015, Government approval was given to a package of measures to address rent stability and housing supply. In relation to rent stability, the measures were given effect by the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015, enacted on 4 December 2015. This Act provides, inter alia, that the minimum period between rent reviews for tenancies is being increased from 12 to 24 months and this new provision will apply for a four year period. In addition, the minimum period of notice of new rent is increased from 28 days to 90 days and longer notice periods for the termination of long-term tenancies have been introduced. Each of these new provisions commenced on enactment.
Further amendments in the Act regarding rent and tenancies will be the subject of commencement orders. Details of the full package of new rent stability and housing supply measures are available at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,43556,en.pdf .
Ultimately, the key to addressing rising rents is increasing the supply of housing and Government is addressing this on a number of fronts, including Construction 2020; A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector and the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The package of measures announced on 10 November will act to stabilise rents in the short to medium term while the additional supply of housing comes on stream.
