Correct.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I am not.
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I will speak to amendments Nos. 1 and 2, which appear to have the aim of introducing a ban on rent increases. The Government's view is that the imposition of a ban on rent increases is highly likely to be subject to a legal challenge and would almost certainly deter continued investment in the rented accommodation market and cause a greater recourse to the State for social housing supports. The current rent pressure zone arrangements, under which rent increases are capped at 2% per annum pro rata where inflation is higher, were introduced as a balanced set of arrangements to regulate rents. The most effective way to reduce and stabilise rents in the medium to long term is to increase supply and accelerate the delivery of housing for the private rental, cost rental and social rental sectors. Allowing a rent increase of up to 2% per annum pro rata is considered to provide a reasonable balance between stable rent control and allowing landlords to adjust rents in line with general inflation, bearing in mind that achieving 2% general inflation is the stated price stability mandate target of the European Central Bank. If a notice of termination is served, the rent cannot be reset. It does not matter if it is a matter of selling, putting a family a member in or whatever the case may be. If a notice of termination is served, the rent cannot be reset. There is no incentive there.
Sentiment score: 0.09
I cannot accept amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, and 8, which appear to have the aim of extending the operation of rent pressure zones to 23 June 2028. As Members are aware, on 10 June last, the Government approved policy measures to provide for the enhancement of rent controls and tenancy protections from 1 March 2026. Last week, the Government also approved, as an interim measure, the provision of a two-month extension of rent pressure zones and the deeming of all areas of the country as a rent pressure zone from the day after the passing of this Bill until 28 February 2026 when the general legislation will commence. Accordingly, there is no apparent reason for the Sinn Féin amendments to cover the period until 23 Jun 2028, as new national rent controls will come into operation on 1 March 2026 and upon the expiry of RPZs. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025 will protect tenants in non-RPZs who have not had their rent reviewed in the past 24 months from high rent inflation during the period from the day after the Bill passes to 28 February 2026. The Government intends to seek the early signing of this Bill into law by President Higgins and it is important for all tenants to be protected as soon as possible under the current rent increase restrictions that apply in rent pressure zones. The Government will introduce a more comprehensive Bill as soon as possible to give effect to the enduring policy measures announced last week to provide for the enhancement of rent controls and tenancy protections for new tenancies created.
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This is not an issue on this amendment, and the Deputy is at pains to look concerned but has not expressed his own opinion on it. We are not surprised there. The rent pressure zones-----
Sentiment score: -0.23
I welcome the clarification. Rent pressure zones have been extended to new areas again and again since 2019. On every one of those occasions, short-term lets have been brought in with them. That is the law at the moment and that is how the law will continue.
Sentiment score: 0.04
I want to be clear. After a week and a half of Deputy Ó Broin complaining about there being too many tracks in this legislation and too many different applications, he is now calling for a new track to create a geographical difference between rent pressure zones that have been extended to date where short-term lets are affected and extending it now to where they would not be affected. The Deputy needs to listen to what he is talking about. After a week of giving out about too much complexity and tracks, he wants a new one introduced. That is what he is calling for now.
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The Deputy is now calling for more exceptions, more tracks-----
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-----and more differentiation. After the past week, it is extraordinary that he would call for more exemptions.
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