Social Democrats Political Director and Local Election candidate for Lucan, Anne-Marie McNally has welcomed the final Dáil stage of the Residential Tenancies Bill which incorporates the key provisions of the Social Democrats’ Bill of the same name.
The reality is that the private rental sector is now a significant housing option – either by choice or of necessity – for people from all backgrounds, demographics and income levels.
Social Democrats Political Director and Local Election candidate for Lucan, Anne-Marie McNally has welcomed the final Dáil stage of the Residential Tenancies Bill which incorporates the key provisions of the Social Democrats’ Bill of the same name.
The Social Democrats’ Bill sought to provide increased security of tenure for tenants and it is welcome that today’s government Bill has incorporated these but it still falls short of the protections that are necessary to provide certainty and security for renters.
Anne Marie McNally said:
“We welcome the passage of the Bill as a small piece of the puzzle facing those in the private rental sector. The Fine Gael Bill draws heavily from our own Bill of the same name. However, the Fine Gael version misses some crucial aspects including the publication of a transparent rent register. It also remains that Landlords can evict someone after a six year tenancy with no reason needed. In the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis and with the flow of people into homelessness primarily coming from the private rental sector, it is clear that this Bill will not be comprehensive enough to overhaul the sector.”
“The Social Democrats coined the phrase ‘Locked-Out Generation’ back in 2016 to highlight the issues facing people who cannot afford to access a mortgage and who are forced to rent long-term in a rental market that has little control and which continues to see rental costs soaring. This generation are stuck in a cycle of precarious tenancies with no security of tenure, and are paying rents that leave them absolutely no hope of saving towards a deposit, severely impacting on their ability to ever own their own home.”
“It is welcome too that the powers of the residential Tenancies Board have been expanded and improved as both tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities when it comes to creating a professionalised rental sector wherein both parties to the contract are protected and empowered to provide, and to avail of, a secure housing option.”
“The reality is that the private rental sector is now a significant housing option – either by choice or of necessity – for people from all backgrounds, demographics and income levels. We must recognise the urgent need to professionalise the sector and protect those who are trying their best to find an affordable and secure home to rent. This Bill helps but it is not enough and it past time that people in the private rental sector were given protection to live their lives without a constant dread hanging over them.”
8th May 2019
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