Many people could face 8% rent rises this summer due to a loophole in Rent Pressure Zone legislation.
The legislation aims to prevent landlords from raising rents in Rent Pressure Zones by more than 4% per year.
However, landlords carrying out their first review after two years are entitled to impose an 8% increase.
While many people have faced no increase through the pandemic, there were fears that many would face increases as soon as the rent freeze and eviction ban ended in July.
To counter this, the Taoiseach has said protections for people financially impacted by COVID will be extended until the end of the year.
Despite that, the 8% loophole in the Rent Pressure Zone legislation remains in place.
That means that those who have not declared themselves financially impacted by COVID could soon face a big hike.
In the Dáil this evening, the Taoiseach rejected accusations the Government “represents landlords.”
“I certainly don’t represent landlords and I have no interest in so doing but I do believe in supply,” he said.
“I do believe we need an adequacy of supply. I have seen nothing from [Sinn Féin that in any way contributes to the supply issue.
“I think that is a key point in improving the overall housing situation.”
The Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has pledged to replace the Rent Pressure Zone legislation entirely next year; however, he will not begin reviewing the legislation until the Autumn leaving some tenants facing a nervy summer.
