'Rent control legislation should be fast-tracked' says Threshold

Housing charity Threshold has said new legislation that will see rent rises restricted to every two years needs to be fast-tracked.

Fine Gael and Labour agreed on the plan last night, after a climbdown by Environment Minister Alan Kelly to link increases to inflation.

There will also be provisions to ensure increases are only allowed at market level.

Chief Executive of Threshold Bob Jordan has said the legislation needs to be introduced as soon as possible to stop landlords trying to increase rents before the new rules come into effect.

“This measure, its leaked out, the Cabinet is on Tuesday, I would say the legislation needs to be introduced in the next five to seven days,” Mr Jordan said.

“No gap should be allowed to open up here because people who are facing rent increases next week, inevitably Landlords will be thinking about that.”