Varadkar says reintroducing eviction ban would lead to 'glut' of evictions next year 

The Taoiseach reiterated comments made previously in the Dáil that the eviction ban did not lead to the number of people in emergency accommodation falling, adding it was important to increase the supply of social housing. Picture: iStock

Reintroducing the no-fault eviction ban for the winter would only lead to a “glut” of eviction notices being handed down next year, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Sinn Féin has sought to pressure the Government by bringing forward legislation that was previously used to facilitate an eviction ban last year.

At Leaders’ Questions, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the ban should be reinstated up to March 2024 to protect families and children from becoming homeless over the Christmas period.

However, Mr Varadkar has rejected the assertion.

“The Sinn Féin proposal is for a temporary eviction ban to run until March. Why don’t I think that’s a good idea? 

"First of all, all we’ll end up with then is a glut of evictions in April, May and June that will be even harder to deal with and we don’t want that to be the case,” Mr Varadkar said.

The Taoiseach reiterated comments made previously in the Dáil that the eviction ban did not lead to the number of people in emergency accommodation falling, adding it was important to increase the supply of social housing.

In response, Ms McDonald agreed the eviction ban was not the solution to the housing crisis, but said it would protect families facing eviction in the coming weeks.

She added both an increase in housing supply and a ban on rent increases were key measure to deal with the crisis.

Rent increases

It comes as new research from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows tenants have seen their rents increase by an average of 30% across the country, to €1,300 a month.

The RTB’s Rental Sector Survey, carried out by Amárach Research, is a survey of tenants, landlords and letting agents to provide information on the current private rental market. The first survey had been carried out in 2019.

According to the research, tenants are currently paying 30% of their monthly net income on rent, which does not include bills or other service charges.

It also shows almost a third of renters have higher rents than when they first moved into the property, with most seeing an increase in the last 12 months. 

However, 61% of tenants have indicated their rent has not increased since moving in to their property.

In relation to that report, the Taoiseach said while some renters do have bad experiences with landlords, the RTB research shows more than 80% of tenants do have a positive relationship with their landlord.

He added the 30% of people’s monthly net income paid on rent is below the affordability threshold of 35%.