Paul Lawless

Overall sentiment: 0.01
Back to Debate

I have very serious concerns in relation to the legislation. If I could have the Minister of State's attention very briefly, I would greatly appreciate it because there are significant concerns. This legislation will not bring about stability or the balance the Minister of State has outlined. It is actually causing the flight of landlords. That is what is happening. It has accelerated the exodus of landlords from the market, which is causing immense difficulty for constituents and renters right across this country, including in my own constituency of Mayo. Small landlords are leaving the rental market and it is not because they want to but because of this Government legislation and its six-year tenancies. The evidence is overwhelming. That is why I am asking the Minister of State to reconsider. The legislation must be reconsidered. It is designed for large institutional investors. It is not designed for accidental landlords or people who are entering retirement and who may seek to sell down the line. For many such landlords, it actually incentivises vacancy. The number of eviction notices issued has increased by 35%. In quarter 3 of 2025, over 5,500 termination notices were issued. In the same quarter of the previous year, the figure was 4,000. Most of the landlords who are issuing these notices are intending to sell and they are not being replaced. The RTB has concerns in that regard as well. Some 56% of homes that are sold are sold by landlords who are leaving the market. Just 9% are being bought by investors. There has been a significant reduction in the number of rental properties available. I believe this legislation is going to create more difficulty for renters because it is designed for pension funds and investment funds. I have spoken to landlords who are very concerned. The restrictions on small landlords are very concerning. Financial hardship has been mentioned. I looked at the legislation, which states small landlords may only sell where they are servicing a debt in excess of 15% of the asking price. This is causing concern. I have spoken to landlords who have attended my clinic and who are raising this as a concern. I spoke to another landlord, who is a grandfather. His grandchild is in Australia but he will be coming home. This man said he is going to leave the property vacant. This is the reality on the ground and the unintended consequences of the Bill will be great. It will be known as the legislation that caused the flight of small landlords, which has already been happening but it will cause an acceleration of it. I ask that this aspect about small landlords be reconsidered. It is primarily designed for large institutional investors. There are a number of cases where we will see homes being left vacant as a result of this. I ask that it be reconsidered and that amendments to the legislation be considered to reduce the number of properties that will remain vacant as a result of this.

Sentiment score: 0.01