TD SLAMS RACK RENTING BY LANDLORDS – CALLS ON MINISTER TO URGENTLY AMEND THE HOUSING BILL

Brid Smith has called for an emergency amendment to the new law that will cap rent rises at 4% per year. The TD was responding to evidence that many landlords are sending people notices by registered post of huge rent hikes before the bill goes before the Seanad tomorrow.  

Deputy Smith said today, ” one case involved a proposed rise of 56% in the apartment rental which was set at €1,300 per month. The new rent  proposed is €2,000 euro per month. This is a shocking example of rack renting and the Government must amend the bill to stop it now”Deputy Smith has contacted Minister Coveney and urged him to amend the Act to insure that Landlords cannot hike rents like this as a way of avoiding the new caps. “I feared this might happen and asked the Minister to ensure that the  Act was worded in such a way  that this couldn’t happen. We cannot allow Landlords to hike rents by 50% at a time when rents have already risen by 60% in some parts of Dublin. This is a two fingered answer to any law that seeks to reign in rents and must be resisted” Smith said.

Deputy Smith has asked any tenants that have received such demands to contact her  so she can raise this directly with the Minister.

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Contact- Bríd Smith- 087 909 0166