The current mess should be cleaned up with one substantial new piece of legislation
Repeated changes to legislation impacting renters is causing uncertainty and confusion for both tenants and landlords, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan.
“In fewer than two years, the Government has introduced six bills to amend legislation affecting renters. Coming back to the Oireachtas again and again with minor tweaks and changes to the Residential Tenancies Act is no way to treat renters.
“It causes confusion, makes enforcement more difficult and falls far short of the changes needed to make renting in Ireland affordable and secure.
“The legislation, as it stands is now, almost impossible to follow. The Minister can’t keep changing the rules and expect everyone to keep up. The current mess should be cleaned up with one substantial new piece of legislation that sets out a course for the next decade or more.
“In July the Housing Minister rushed through legislation and refused to listen to concerns from opposition TDs. Now he’s back six months later with another band-aid.
“We need a new, consolidated Residential Tenancies Act to provide real security for tenants as well as certainty for landlords. Such a Bill must include a reduction in the grounds for evictions and a nationwide ban on rent increases. Crucially, it must be accessible and comprehensible for landlords and tenants alike.”
8 December, 2021
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