LABOUR CONFERENCE: Proposals could force landlords to freeze rents

Landlords could be forced to effectively freeze rents for “three or four years” and be stopped from increasing rates above consumer price index rises under new plans to tackle the housing crisis.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly outlined plannedmeasures to address “the scandalous increases in rent”, but insisted that they do not amount to legally questionable rent controls.

Under the moves, which he said are likely to be implemented before the end of this year, landlords and tenants will be forced to sign up to a renting “framework” to address unreasonable rises for three to four years.