Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has criticised Minister Darragh O’Brien for being dishonest about the introduction of tenancies of ‘unlimited duration’ in his new renters’ legislation.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“The Minister is touting his latest piece of legislation as heralding the introduction of tenancies of unlimited duration, that will provide greater security of tenure for tenants.

“However, in reality this is not the case. The Bill removes section 34b from the Residential Tenancies Act, which removes an anomaly around the continuation of Part 4 tenancies.

“While this is welcome, the removal of this section of the Residential Tenancies Act does not create tenancies of indefinite duration and to state otherwise is deeply disingenuous.

“As the Minister is well aware, it is the other section 34 grounds for eviction, such as sale or use by landlord/family member, that are responsible for over 70% of notices to quit.

“As for the 2% cap on rent increases, I think the ship has sailed on any pretence that rental caps in rent pressure zones are effective for halting rising rents.

“Just like the 4% cap, it will not work. There are too many loopholes and it is too difficult to police.

“A total ban on rent increases across the state is the only way to stop rents from rising any further.

“We need to scale up the delivery of genuine cost rental homes, at least 2,000 a year, at rents that are unrelated to market rents.”