John Halligan urges rent increase freeze

An emergency freeze on rent increases across the country is needed, as well as a ban on landlords demanding three months’ rent up front, junior jobs minister John Halligan has declared.

The Independent Alliance minister said the 4% cap on rent rises had “failed “and further State intervention was needed to protect vulnerable renters amid spiralling rates.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the Waterford TD said the alliance would push for some of these reforms in the Government’s review of its housing programme, due next month.