Stanley calls for urgent review of rent ceilings
Sinn Féin TD, Brian Stanley, claims that the monthly rent limits for Rent Supplement are causing major problems for those struggling in private rented accommodation.
Stanley said “The rent ceilings are now well below market rates in the rental sector and many tenants are finding it very difficult to pay rent. The current caps mean families on rent supplement are extremely restricted in entering the private rental market due to a lack of affordable properties. We need rent controls as in other European countries using mechanisms such as having rents index linked.
“The current ceilings came into force in June last year and in Laois the maximum rent levels now are:
Couple/One Parent Family:
– with 1 child €450
– with 2 children €480
– with 3 children €520
So while Rent Supplement was reduced a survey by Daft.ie shows the rental rates for properties in Co. Laois increased by 6.4% in the year since and a 3 bedroom house in the county now costs €600 – €700 per week while a 2 bedroom house can cost €550 weekly.
Landlords are refusing to lower rents to meet the new limits and it is impossible to find alternative accommodation because the ceilings are set too low and do not reflect current market rates.”
He concluded “These unrealistic rent ceilings are making the housing crisis even worse and the Minister should immediately set up a review of these limits to bring them into line with current rental market rates.”