SF TD calls for ban on rent increases and evictions

Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, has called for an immediate ban on rent increases and evictions, in response to the Residential Tenancies Board quarterly report showing new rents increasing by 9% and 4,000 eviction notices served to tenants from April to June this year.

“The quarterly report is more bad news for renters. Rents continue their restless rise upwards. Ten counties experienced rent increases of 10% or more. The latest figures do not capture the full impact of the market rent reset between tenancies introduced in March.

“And while the number of eviction notices is down on the first quarter of this year, it is still a significant number. Those renters will now have to start looking for a new home in a market of rising rents and stagnating supply.

“A year after the government announced changes to rent pressure zones, apartment design standards and massive VAT breaks for apartment developers, there is no sign that private rental supply is increasing. It has flatlined.

“While government claim that the latest RTB report suggests the private rental market is stabilising, the opposite is the case. Rents are rising, evictions are unacceptably high, and supply of social and affordable housing continues to be way behind actual need.

“Government policy is making the housing crisis worse. We need a new approach including a ban in rent increases and evictions, a full month’s rent back into every private renter's pockets, stronger security of tenure protections and a dramatic increase in the supply of social, cost rental and affordable purchase homes.”