Updated 5pm
Landlords who illegally increase rents could face fines of up to €30,000 under a new package of laws presented to Cabinet today.
The new laws would also hand the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) new powers to investigate and sanction landlords without needing a complaint from someone first.
The bill would also extend the amount of notice a landlord has to give to get someone to leave the property – and could pave the way for a new rental register to publicly record rent prices.
It will see any landlord who illegally increases rent facing a €15,000 fine and a €15,000 payment to the RTB.
It will also allow the RTB to publish a register of the amount of rent people are paying in different areas - though the government is seeking legal advice from the Attorney General about whether it can do that.
Notice periods are also set to be extended under the bill – meaning landlords will now have to give tenants more time to leave a property.
Anyone in a property for more than 6 months will be entitled to 90 days notice, anyone in a home for more than a year should get at least 120 days.
The measures are aimed at making renting more secure - while stopping landlords from breaking the 4% increase limits in rent pressure zones.
Cabinet ministers this morning signed off on publishing the bill.
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said: “The key measures and reforms are designed to enhance enforcement powers for the RTB, provide greater security of tenure for tenants and further underpin the operation of the Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) arrangements, along with some further targeted priority measures.
"I was keen to publish the Bill as soon as possible to let everyone in the sector know that Government is serious in its intent to stamp out any improper conduct by landlords, particularly with regard to flouting the rent increase restrictions."
He added that he hopes Government amendments to the bill will be introduced as the proposed new laws make their way through the Oireachtas - including one to allow the RTB to publish rental amounts in its register.
Additional reporting by Mick Staines and Stephen McNeice
