Legislation is overdue but welcome

THOUSANDS of people stand to benefit from new legislation aimed at preventing greedy landlords from exploiting tenants living in rented accommodation.

For too long, families and individuals who could not afford their own home have ended up in rental accommodation, often paying exorbitant charges and victimised by unscrupulous property owners.

Most tenants will applaud the reforming legislation described yesterday by Environment Minister Martin Cullen as ending a ‘Victorian’ attitude to property rights in Ireland.