A REFORM OF rent regulations is set to go to Cabinet tomorrow, which will allow landlords to reset rent between tenancies.

The matter was discussed at the party leaders’ meeting this evening at Government Buildings, attended by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State Sean Canney and other senior ministers, where the proposals were signed off on ahead of Cabinet tomorrow. 

While Housing Minister James Browne is set to announce the details after meeting with ministers tomorrow, it is expected that existing renters would likely remain protected by the current 2% cap.

Under the proposal, rents for existing tenants in the entire country will be brought under control under the current Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) system that is currently in place.

However, the new plans will mean the that 2% rent cap will not apply to apartments built after a certain date, a move government is hoping will increase apartment construction by the private sector. 

Landlords will also be allowed to hike rents in instances where tenants leave homes voluntarily. 

Where a notice to quit is served on a tenant, the landlord can’t reset the rent, which the government hopes will remove any economic incentive for landlords to evict their tenants.

Tenancy protections will be brought in, according to a government source, who said that protecting renters is a key component. It is expected that new tenancies, while facing higher rents, will see a six-year security of tenure rolled out. 

Browne will also bring proposals forward to categorise landlords to the number of properties owned. It is not yet clear this evening to what end this categorization is proposed.

These proposed changes are coming at a time when the Government is under pressure from left-leaning parties, trade unions and homelessness charities to create policies that favour renters over landlords.

Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson, TD Eoin Ó Broin is of the view that renters are being punished for the Government’s failures on housing, with the TD slamming the government for changes he said will result in higher levels of homelessness. 

Likewise, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, an academic who has written a book on the housing crisis, has said his party will “strenuously resist” any attempt by the Government to end RPZs.

Hearne has argued that the Government is prioritising the profits of international investors and developers over the needs of ordinary renters.

The Labour Party’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan reacting this evening said:

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“It’s very clear from what has emerged tonight that Government are making it up as they go along. Exempting new build apartments from rent controls may not lead to any increase in supply and any supply that emerges will be unaffordable.”

He added that government will need to clarify tomorrow what exactly they are proposing in terms of any proposed ban on no fault evictions which must be watertight and unequivocal.

Next week, the Raise the Roof campaign group will hold a demonstration outside Leinster House that is likely to heap further criticism on the government.

Browne argues that the measures will boost investment and certainty in supply of homes for rental and the wider residential market. 

The minister told The Journal last month renters are “very much to the forefront of my concerns”, but acknowledged there is already an affordability challenge out there for renters. 

With reporting by Muiris Ó Cearbhaill