Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

lease via Shutterstock

Tenancies board to investigate how rents can be brought under control

A major study has been announced by the the Private Residential Tenancies Board.

A MAJOR STUDY into how the stability of the private rented sector can be ensured has been announced by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).

It follows a request from Minister of State for Housing Jan O’Sullivan to conduct a study into the sector to gauge what policies would be appropriate.

Consideration to measures that could achieve a greater level of rent stability will be considered, the study’s authors said.

The latest figures from the PRTB show a year-on-year increase of 7.6 per cent for rents in Dublin, with an average increase of 3.3 per cent recorded last year since figures hit a low at the start of 2012.

Measures on the table for the PRTB study include tax reliefs for landlords and/or tenants, including indexation of rent supplement and possible incentives for landlords to rent to social rented tenants.

Affordable

It will also look to increase the supply of good quality and affordable accommodation, taking a guide from best practices in other countries.

“A key objective of the report will be to advise the PRTB on how the rental sector can be sustainable into the future and can play a vital role in accommodating a wide range of households in affordable and good quality accommodation”, Chief Executive Anne Marie Caulfield said.

Other areas to be explored include:

  • Buy-to-let properties (particularly those in mortgage arrears),
  • The increasing role of the sector in the provision of state supported accommodation (Rent Supplement and the Rental Accommodation Scheme),
  • The social rented sector,
  • The new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme,
  • The impact of changes in regulations regarding accommodation standards.

A consortium led by DKM Economic Consultants, and including the ESRI, Red C Research and Marketing, and law firm Ronan, Daly Jermyn were awarded a contract to carry out the study last month after a competitive tender.

Preliminary results are expected next month, with a full report in September.

Read: Why is this house so expensive? >

More: The average rent in Dublin is now €1,289 – in Waterford it’s €601 >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
56 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds