The disastrous impact of the government’s new rent rules is revealed today as rents surge at the highest rate in 25 years, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne.
Deputy Hearne said.
“This report makes for grim reading – especially for those who are desperately trying to find a home to rent.
“The impact of these new rent rules has been nothing short of catastrophic, all across the country.
“The average rent for a two-bed apartment is €2,600 in Dublin; nearly €2,300 in Galway, nearly €2,200 in Limerick and more than €2,100 in Cork.
“Who can afford these kinds of extortionate prices? These rent hikes are going to lead to a tsunami of evictions.
“This government has turned a housing crisis into a housing disaster and now a social catastrophe.
“The rationale for the government’s policy change doesn’t stand up. They say they want to boost supply to reduce rent prices.
“But, cities outside of Dublin have seen supply increase in the past year – but, in Galway for example, rents have risen by a whopping 18 percent in that period.
“Rents have not come down; they have gone up. Because this government has given landlords carte blanche to increase them to whatever they want.
“The Social Democrats and other Opposition parties warned the government this would happen. But, they didn’t listen and now renters are left picking up the pieces.
“This government must now act quickly to try to dull the hugely negative impact of their own rent hike laws.
“They must introduce a three-year ban on no-fault evictions, and a ban on rent increases, before prices go any higher.”