The reported record-high year-on-year average rent increase of 14.1% in the Daft.ie Q3 Rental Price Report makes clear that the Government must act to control soaring rents and increase supply of affordable rental accommodation to alleviate the housing crisis.
Threshold CEO John-Mark McCafferty said there is no area of the country that is not affected by soaring rents: “Private tenants in rural counties such as Longford and Leitrim have been subject to incredible rent increases of 24.1% and 22.3% respectively. These tenants are facing a financial dilemma – with rising energy costs, increased inflation and now record-breaking rents all impacting hugely on their disposable income.”
“Threshold wishes to see an extension of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) to more areas in the country to safeguard against further extortionate rent increases. RPZs can have a moderating effect on rents when enforced, but they are only one part of a solution. More affordable housing is urgently needed.”
“A lack of available, affordable housing across all tenures is a root cause for these problems. With just 1,087 homes available to rent on Daft on November 1st, this is approximately a quarter of the average level of availability on Daft during 2015-2019. It is clear that the Government must act now to deliver a greater supply of affordable housing and accelerate the roll-out of cost rental housing to alleviate the current crisis.”
“Double digit rent increases throughout the country should not be taking place. There are protections for private renters from unfair rent increases, whether they are in an RPZ or not. It is vital that people know that Threshold can assist renters to challenge unfair rent increases and have had success in having overpaid rent returned to renters via the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).”
Threshold’s helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am- 9pm at 1800 454 454, with webchat at www.threshold.ie/get-help for any renter in need of advice or support.
