Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has criticised the Minister for Housing’s proposals to extend rent pressure zone legislation until 2024 and to introduce limited reforms as “closing the gate after the horse has bolted”.

Teachta O Broin said:

“The Minister’s plans to extend the ineffective rent pressure zone (RPZ) legislation out to 2024 and to change the 4% rent cap to cap rises in line with inflation is too little, too late.

“In 2016, I introduced a bill that would have introduced real rent certainty for all tenants by limiting rent increases in line with inflation.

“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil failed to support this and instead the Fine Gael Minister for Housing introduced the failed rent pressure zone legislation, which did very little to halt rising rents.

“In the five years that followed, both these parties voted against the introduction of rent certainty five times.

“The Minister’s plans to keep the RPZ legislation in place, while limiting increases to inflation, will do little to help tenants already struggling with high rents.

“Furthermore, what about the 26% of tenants who live outside rent pressure zone areas? Those tenants will still be subject to the current system, which is deeply unfair.

“If this government is serious about protecting renters, it will ban rent increases for three years for all new and existing tenancies. 

“In Budget 2022, it should also introduce a refundable tax credit for renters, which would help reduce rental costs.”