Eviction ban should be considered in response to rental crisis, says local TD

A local Sinn Féin TD said "all options must be on the table" in order to address the deepening crisis in private rented housing, saying that "a temporary ban on evictions" and tax reform in the private rental sector were among the measures that should be considered.

The comments from Longford/Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke were made today (Monday) in response to figures showing there had been a significant increase in the number of eviction notices recorded by the Residential Tenancies Board between April and June this year.

Some 1,781 renters received a notice to quit in the second quarter of this year, which was more than double the figure recorded during the same period in 2021.

"Considering that, in June, 10,491 people including 3,071 children were in emergency accommodation, figures which don't include those 'couch-surfing' with friends and family, the crisis in housing is worsening month by month," said Deputy Clarke.

"The growing number of single property landlords exiting the market together with a serious undersupply of social housing will continue to drive the homeless crisis.

"My colleague and Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing Deputy Eoin O’Broin has been calling on the government to develop a realistic plan to deal with single property or accidental landlords exiting the rental market.

"All options must be on the table for consideration, including a temporary ban on evictions, tax reform in the private rental sector and an acceleration of social housing delivery.

"In my constituency offices in Mullingar, Athlone and Longford we are seeing more and more constituents arriving clutching the dreaded notice to quit.

"Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien needs to intervene with meaningful action immediately as many of these renters are likely to end up seeking emergency homeless accommodation," she stated.