Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
228. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give consideration to the establishment of a statutory rent arrears fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12185/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my first year as Minister, I introduced significant tenancy protections under the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 with effect from 1 August 2020. The Act provides for enhanced tenancy protections by requiring a landlord to copy the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) with any 28-day warning notice (doubled from 14 days under that Act) given in writing to their tenant seeking payment of rent arrears and any related notice of termination that might later be served. The Act provides that failure to copy the RTB would invalidate the notice of termination
Upon receipt of the warning notice, the Act requires the RTB to provide information to enable the tenant to get advice from the Money and Budgeting Advice Service (MABS), and to help the tenant to get such advice, if the tenant so wishes. The RTB is also required to provide tenancy information to both the tenant and the landlord upon receipt of a notice of termination grounded on rent arrears. The aim is to ensure that early action is taken to address rent arrears, to the benefit of both the tenant and the landlord.
Tenants are required to continue to observe the normal terms and conditions of their lease including paying rent to their landlord and, in the event of tenants having difficulty doing so, they are encouraged to engage with their landlords at the earliest opportunity. They should also engage with the MABS and the Department of Social Protection as income supports, such as Rent Supplement, are available to assist them.
Given the financial and legislative supports currently available to tenants in difficulty paying their rent, I have no plans to provide for a statutory rent arrears fund. However, the operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 and the residential rental market are kept under constant review by my Department to ensure that the legislation is fit for purpose. In this regard, under Housing for All, my Department has commenced a review of the Private Rental Sector which will inform Government on the measures which need to be taken to ensure a well-functioning private rental sector in Ireland that works for all.
