Taoiseach: Further rent controls could increase number of 'black market' landlords

The Taoiseach has cautioned against further rent controls, saying they could increase the number of ‘black market’ landlords.

Leo Varadkar’s comments came as a Daft.ie report showed that national average rental costs rose by over 10% in the past year to more than €1,200 a month.

The Government yesterday came under intense criticism in the Dáil. Mr Varadkar was accused of being “out of touch” with families and individuals struggling to pay rents which have surpassed Celtic Tiger levels.