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.

“In the UK the property owner is only required to register every five years and pay a €60 fee and they are unhappy with it - we are far more expensive,” said Irish Property Owners Association president Fintan McNamara.

Housing Minister Noel Ahern defended the new law and said that something needed to be done to protect the tenant.

Threshold director Patrick Burke said: “it’s a good deal for tenants and a good deal for landlords and will regulate the sector.”