Alan Kelly announces reforms to private rental sector

The Environment Minister Alan Kelly has announced a series of reforms to the private rental sector to provide rent certainty for tenants and landlords.

The measures include increasing the rent review period from one-to-two years - meaning anybody who faced a rent increase in 2015, will now not have a rent review until 2017.

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill will also provide for the creation of a deposit protection scheme.

It will mean deposits are lodged with the Private Residential Tenancies Board as opposed to the landlord with consent of both parties required to draw it down on completion of a tenancy.

The measures will also oblige landlords to provide more evidence that rent increases are in line with the local market rate and will legally oblige them to inform tenants of their rights.

“I hope it works,” said Minster for Finance Michael Noonan. “I presume (for) whoever is in Government for the next five years the supply of housing will be a constant theme.”

“Because as the economy grows and there’s more young people come back from abroad, there’s more young people coming into the cities and begin to work. There’s going to be a demand on rental accommodation and new builds.

“So this is a very strong start, but it’s not the end of the matter.”