Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2017
23. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to bring forward changes to the law on ending a tenancy or increasing rent on the grounds of refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52257/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have recently announced a series of measures in relation to the rental sector, including a two-year change plan to develop and strengthen the role of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) as a pro-active regulator for the sector.
Following on from this and addressing calls from both landlords and tenants for further clarity in relation to the definition of "substantial refurbishment", the RTB published on 23 November 2017 a comprehensive set of guidelines for landlords and tenants, and those working in the rental sector, on what constitutes substantial refurbishment or renovation for the purposes of a section 34 ground for termination of a tenancy. These guidelines also clarify the situations where a landlord can claim "substantial change" in rented properties for the purposes of exemption from the rent increase restriction of 4% per year that apply in Rent Pressure Zone areas.
The guidelines, which are designed to inform the sector and improve compliance in this area, are available on the RTB website at:
https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/Comms%20and%20Research/RTB_Guidelines_for_good_practice_on_the_substantial_change_exemption_in_Rent_Pressure_Zones.pdf
I am confident that these new RTB guidelines will provide the requisite clarity for the sector but my Department will keep under review whether there is value in placing them on a statutory footing.
