Entire country should be a Rent Pressure Zone

Labour Housing Spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan TD has reiterated calls for the entire country to be classified as a rent pressure zone. Deputy O’Sullivan has called for a public awareness campaign regarding renters rights. 

Deputy O’Sullivan said

“I welcome improvements for renters announced today, particularly the inclusion of all of Limerick City in a Rent Pressure Zone. However, the reality of unfair rent increases is not exclusive to the 11 counties within RPZs. Every county in Ireland should be subject to these controls. As the number of counties in RPZs increase, the surrounding counties outside these zones are still experiencing sharp increases, especially if they are just outside the protected zone. 

“It is also imperative that there is a public education campaign aimed at providing tenants with information about their rights. The Residential Tenancies Board has been given greater capacity, such as the ability to investigate cases without having received a complaint. New rules around short term lets are also due to take effect this month. All of these changes are going to affect tenants. People cannot protect their rights if they are not aware of them. The Department should provide the RTB with the necessary resources to lead such a public awareness campaign.

“Also, if we want renters to have greater security it is time for the introduction of a rent register. Renter’s are entitled to know what the previous tenants were paying, otherwise, they are going into lease agreements blind. Meanwhile, landlords hold all the cards. If Minister Murphy is serious about helping renters, then he needs to level the playing field between tenants and landlords.”