Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has called on the Minister for Housing to prioritise the publication of legislation that will replace the ineffective rent pressure zone legislation that is due to expire this year.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“The 2016 rent pressure zone (RPZ) legislation, which was supposed to limit rent increases to 4% per annum, is due to expire this year.

“Sinn Féin stated at the time that this legislation did not go far enough and would not temper the sky high rent increases that tenants across the state are facing.

“It was always the case that this legislation allowed for an 8% increase if the rent review took place after two years. It was one of the many issues we had with the legislation.

“At the time, we argued for rents to be linked to inflation, which would have limited any rent increases to 1% or less annually.

“Given how this legislation has failed and that rents have continued to increase since, we now believe a three-year ban on rent increases is the only way to halt rising rental costs.

“The RPZ legislation expires at the end of this year and the Minister for Housing has stated that he is going to bring a Bill to the Dáil in the Autumn to replace the 4% cap.

“He needs to bring forward this timetable and publish the legislation as soon as possible. Renters cannot wait.”