Landlords rap law that aims to protect tenants

LANDLORDS yesterday hit out at a new law that aims to give tenants better protection and provides a new disputes’ resolution system.

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 gives tenants security of tenure for the first time. They can demand a four-year tenancy contract once they have been renting for six months.

And a new Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) will be set up to resolve disputes between tenants and registered landlords. Landlords will have to pay an annual €70 to register each property and a flat fee of €300 if they own a number of apartments on the property.