Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has today welcomed the latest RTB report on the private rental sector.

The Dublin Mid-West TD said the report “confirms much of what we have been saying about the private rental sector for some time”.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“Today’s report from the RTB on the number of landlords and tenancies in the private rental sector is welcome.

“It conforms much of what Sinn Féin has been saying about the private rental sector for some time.

“The report highlights the significant growth of large institutional landlords in Dublin. Much of this is at the high end of the market driving up rents and undermining affordability.

“The report also confirms that while over the longer term the number of smaller landlords has decreased, it is nowhere near as severe as some landlord lobby organisations suggest.

“The report also highlights a significant diversification among medium sized landlords. Many of these have been purchasing second-hand homes in recent years being sold by single property landlords.

“Unfortunately the private rental sector is still too insecure and expensive for most people.

“Ultimately the solution to the housing crisis is not more landlords, but more social, affordable and private purchase homes.

“Sinn Féin’s ambitious alternative housing plan sets out how this could be achieved over five years through the delivery of 300,000 new build homes, with 75,000 social, 50,000 affordable and 115 private purchase homes.

“As these tenures increase, pressure on the private sector will reduce making it more stable, secure and ultimately more affordable for people who chose to live in it.”