Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, has called on the Minster for Housing Simon Coveney to introduce a rent certainty amendment to his Planning, Development and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016.

The call comes after figures were published by Daft.ie which revealed that rents are now at an all-time high across the country.

In a statement, Deputy Ó Broin said: "Daft's figures for the third quarter of 2016 are hugely concerning. The average monthly rent is now €1,077. This is an increase of almost 4% on the second quarter of 2016. The annual rate of rental inflation in the state is now 11.7%, which Daft say is the highest recorded by it since its records began in 2002.

-- Advertisement --

"This government is failing renters. What is clear is that rent certainty cannot wait for the Minister's strategy on the rental sector. We need it now. The Minister must amend his Planning, Development and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 to include rent certainty. If he doesn't, I will table such an amendment at committee stage."

Ó Broin continued: "When voting against the Sinn Féin Rent Certainty Bill in June Minister Coveney justified his position by saying he didn't want to preempt his forth coming rental strategy.

"However the Planning, Development and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 published this week, is preempting that strategy by introducing the Tyrellstown amendment and other changes to Landlord tenant relationship.

"If Minister Coveney can preempt his own strategy on the rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants, then why can he not do so on Rent Certainty.

"Rent Certainty on its own will not tackle the issue of high rents; however it will put a break on the unaffordable rent increases that thousands of people are facing.

"It is not a coincidence that as rents rise the number of families in emergency accommodation also rises. Renters cannot wait any longer. The Minister can no longer kick the rent certainty can down the road. The time to act is now."

(JP)