Rent legislation ‘flouted by some landlords’

A national housing charity has warned that rent legislation is not being flouted by some landlords.

John-Mark McCafferty, CEO of Threshold, spoke out as new figures confirmed rising pressure in the private rented sector.

The latest Daft.ie rental price report for Q2 2017 indicated an 11.8 per cent change year-on-year in the average asking rent nationally, and an all-time low in the level of properties available to rent.

Mr McCafferty said: “Once again the Daft.ie report confirms that pressure in the private rented sector continues to grow. We urgently need to increase the supply of affordable homes for low- to middle-income tenants, including students, many of whom will be entering the rental market for the first time this month.

“However, we also need to ensure that measures already in place to protect tenants are enforced. Rent certainty is hugely important, both for sitting tenants and prospective tenants trying to budget for accommodation – we are calling for the Residential Tenancies Board rent index to be publicly available and searchable, as part of a number of actions to strengthen the Rent Pressure Zone legislation.

“Under the RPZ law, a new tenant can only be charged 4 per cent more than a previous tenant and the landlord must explain in writing to a new tenant the calculations behind the rent, as it relates to the RPZ formula. This legislation gives sitting tenants and those searching for accommodation equal rights.

“However, we are aware that this is being flouted by some landlords. A lack of enforcement is affecting both those searching for accommodation, as well as sitting tenants.”

Dr Aideen Hayden, chair of Threshold, added: “Many tenants are desperate, and those who can afford the asking rent are prepared to pay without many questions, to get a roof over their heads.

“With such a shortage of supply, if legislation is not enforced, rents can only but go up in the face of such desperation, and this is a very poor vista for low- and middle-income earners.

“The current legislation doesn’t oblige a landlord to state the rent the last tenant paid when they are checking out a property. A measure such as an RTB-managed rent register, recording every change of rent, would benefit all, as it would hold landlords to account and arm tenants with the details they need to make an informed choice.”