Landlords ‘may not have grasped’ water charge proposals

A Minister has claimed that landlords “may not have got a full understanding” of controversial government proposals to address arrears in water charges payments.

Children’s Minister James Reilly made the comments after a national organisation representing landlords said it has “grave concerns” regarding elements of the Government’s plans to tackle unpaid water bills.

Stephen Faughnan, chairman of the Irish Property Owners Association, said plans to require landlords to hold on to their tenants’ deposits until the renter has furnished proof that water charges have been paid were “fraught with difficulty; totally unacceptable; and unworkable”.