Proposals on rent controls: Optional codes are pointless

AS ever more people, individuals and families, come to depend on the rental market for their housing needs it is appropriate that some measures are being prepared to offer some sort of stability and security to tenants.

Announcing that he was preparing interim measures to protect tenants while the construction industry tries to catch up with demand, Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly said his proposals would bring “rent certainty” until housing supply catches up with demand after a “lag period” of three years.

During that period rent increases would be linked to the Consumer Price Index and landlords would have to justify a rent increase by refurbishing the property.