The  Residential Tenancies Board has been urged to get tough with landlords who do not comply with the Rent Pressure Zones rules. 

Sinn Féin say they have anecdotal evidence that some landlords are not playing by the rules.

Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said this is adding to an already unfair system for renters.

“They’re doing nothing to protect renters - particularly from rip off rents,” he said.

“They’re not delivering an adequate supply of affordable cost rental [accommodation] and the consequence is it has never been harder to be a renter, less secure or more expensive.

“And that really is bad news.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin, speaking to media on the plinth outside Leinster House in September 2021. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

It comes as a new report shows the standardised average rent nationally in the fourth quarter of last year was higher for new tenancies than for existing ones with a difference of €221 or 16.1% per month.

The RTB's Rent Index Report found rent levels in both new and existing tenancies have increased.

In Q4 of 2023 the standardised average rent in new tenancies grew by 9.1% year-on-year and in existing tenancies it grew by 5.9%.

Source: Residential Tenancies Board

The standardised average rent for new tenancies in Dublin was €2,098, or €293 higher than the average rent for existing tenancies which stood at €1,805.

In Cork the average rent for new tenancies was €1,400, or €242 higher than the standardised average rent for existing tenancies.

Deputy Ó Broin said the skyrocketing levels of rent mean the rules are clearly not being followed by many landlords.

“You can see, for example, a 6% annual increase in rents for existing renters,” he said.

“Some of that will be a landlord rolling three years rental increases into one year - that’s permitted.

“Some of it could be substantial refurbishment but it’s clear that noncompliance is taking place.

“That will only be addressed if the RTB starts getting tough,” he added.

The Existing Tenancies Rent Index does not measure compliance with RPZ legislation.

Additional reporting: Jack Quann

Main image: A key in a lock.