Landlords are not to blame for housing crisis

If the Government proceeds with further regulation of the housing market, already under pressure landlords will be squeezed out of the market, thereby reducing available accommodation and causing further homelessness.

The State should be protecting the current supply and making it attractive for investors to invest. Governments have failed the tenants of Ireland for their own political advantage and we would predict that in the next 12 months thousands of units of accommodation will leave the sector.

Any attempt to impose a blanket prohibition on a landlord increasing his rent for his property will only be regarded as unconstitutional. It is a pathetic attempt at fixing the shortage of supply and for a Government to tax in excess 60% of rent paid by a tenant is a scandal.

The requirement to show three comparable properties as part of the notice of increase is a further needless administrative burden. Currently a landlord or tenant can go to the PRTB if they cannot agree the rent and at that stage comparable properties may be provided.

Full mortgage interest relief for all rental property should be allowable as for commercial property. Allowing the interest relief for landlords letting in the social sector is discriminatory.

The Government is responsible for the housing crisis. This is because of their inadequacy in providing social housing

Stephen Faughnan

Irish Property Owners’ Association

Ashtown Business Centre

Navan Road

Dublin 15