Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss Recent Trends in Private Rental Sector

The meeting at 3pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from representatives of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers, the Irish Property Owners' Association, Threshold, and Dr Michael Byrne, from the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice at University College Dublin (UCD).

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Steven Matthews said: “The private rental sector has an important role to play in the provision of homes. There are a number of developments in the sector that concern the Committee. These include increasing rents outside pressure zones, a fall in the number of properties available to rent, the number of notices to quit being issued by landlords and the growing number of landlords selling properties and exiting the sector.

“Other issues for discussion include measures the Government can take to assist renters, including tax relief and changes to thresholds for those receiving housing assistance payments. The Committee looks forward to discussing all these issues and related matters with our stakeholders.”

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.