Serious concerns have been raised over landlords abusing legislation to evict tenants.

Sinn Fein has written to Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy urging him to review the Residential Tenancies Act that allows landlords to cite "substantial refurbishment" as a reason to issue a notice to quit.

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The party's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said: "This loophole is being used to circumvent the rent pressure zone legislation and enables landlords to hike up rents to unaffordable levels.

"I note that the Residential Tenancies Board is due to publish guidelines for landlords and tenants in relation to what constitutes substantial refurbishment. The issuing of guidelines alone will not deal with the matter.

"This legislative loophole must be closed to halt the practice of landlords using a back door to evict tenants and increase profits through rent hikes."

(CD/MH)