Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
396. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provision being introduced to penalise tenants that have refused to pay rent while seeking the safeguard of emergency legislation on not terminating their lease and leaving a property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21111/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 1 August 2020, the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 provides new protections for tenants who have fallen into rent arrears, and as a result, are at risk of losing their tenancy. The Act recognises the impacts of unemployment and reduced working hours amongst those living in the residential rental sector as a result of Covid-19 and acknowledges the adverse impact on the ability of those impacted to meet their obligations to pay rent.
Tenants who are currently (or at any stage between 9 March 2020 and 10 January 2021):
- in receipt of (or entitled to receive) Illness Benefit for Covid-19 absence - further information available at -
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/);
- in receipt of (or entitled to receive) the Temporary Wage Subsidy, Employment Wage Subsidy or any other social welfare payment or State support paid as a result of loss of earnings due to Covid-19 (this includes the rent supplement or a supplementary welfare allowance);
and
- at risk of losing their tenancy,
can receive additional protections to remain in their tenancy without any increase in rent until 11 January 2021. In order to qualify for these supports, tenants must fill in and sign a Self-Declaration form, available on the Residential Tenancies Boards (RTB) website - www.rtb.ie, if they meet the above criteria.
Under section 4(2) of the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020, a person who makes a declaration that is false or misleading in any material respect shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a Class B fine, with a value of between €2,500 and €4,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both.
The RTB and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) are working with tenants to outline the financial supports which may be available to enable the tenant to meet their rental obligations to sustain their tenancy.
Tenants are required to pay rent to their landlord and, in the event of tenants having difficulty doing so on foot of Covid-19, they are encouraged to engage with their landlords at the earliest opportunity. They should also engage with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) as income supports and Rent Supplement are available to assist them. Further information on these supports can be found by calling the DEASP Income Support Helpline for Covid-19 on 1890 800 024 or by visiting the DEASP website at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-employment-affairs-and-social-protection/?referrer=https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/home.aspx.
My Department and the RTB urge landlords to consider the negative impacts of Covid-19 on their tenants and to show forbearance where temporary rent arrears might arise.
I urge tenants and landlords to discuss problems promptly, keep lines of communication open and respect each other’s positions. If the problem cannot be resolved, registered landlords and all tenants can apply to the RTB for dispute resolution. Further information is available on www.rtb.ie.
