Incentivise renovation of abandoned properties

Landlords are calling on the next government to incentivise the return of thousands of properties abandoned because of their owners’ inability to refurbish to the required standards.

A five-ear programme of ‘Open The Door’ is necessary to restore the housing stock lying idle, while the sector is in crisis and homelessness is increasing.

As chairman of the IPOA, in 2008 I outlined to the then Environment Minister, John Gormley, the consequences if the government forced the closure of bedsits and homes not up to the increased standards: mass homelessness. Instead, what is needed are incentives to help owners refurbish this much-needed, centrally located accommodation in the market. Governments adopted a different approach by cutting tax relief, increasing standards, charging USC, PRSI, property tax, and water charges, etc, which crippled the sector and proved a disaster for tenants.