The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, commits to improving the security and affordability for renters. To achieve this, we will:
- Develop a cost rental model for the delivery of housing that creates affordability for tenants and a sustainable model for the construction and management of homes.
- Support the adequate supply of rental accommodation by ensuring equity and fairness for landlords and tenants.
- Continue the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) change programme, transforming it into an independent and strong regulator for tenants and landlords.
- Reform the Fair Deal scheme to incentivise renting out vacant properties.
- Improve the security of tenure for tenants, through legislating for tenancies of indefinite duration, increasing RTB enforcement and examining incentives for long-term leasing.
- Instruct local authorities as part of their housing strategies to undertake and publish a rental needs assessment.
- Examine the measures that may be needed to support tenants as a result of COVID-19, informed by the forthcoming research from my Department and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
Subject to Cabinet approval, I aim to introduce residential tenancy legislation in the Houses of the Oireachtas before the summer recess to further protect tenants who have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.