Fianna Fail has introduced a new Bill in upholding standards in homes and protecting tenants.

The 'Residential Tenancies (Residential Tenancies Board) (Amendment) Bill 2018' gives the RTB the power to initiate its own investigations into rogue landlords or other issues in the rental sector.

Fianna Fail Housing Spokesperson Barry Cowen TD said: "With rents soaring at a rate of 11.2% per annum, more and more people are being placed under massive financial pressure just to hold onto accommodation. This has led to reduced standards for many tenants as their landlords know they are desperate to remain in their accommodation.

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"The RTB has a central role to play in upholding standards and protecting tenants. This Bill gives it the power to undertake investigations on its own initiative into suspected breaches of the law in the rental sector.

"We need a strong, well-resourced RTB to ensure people in the rental sector are fully protected. This Bill expands the powers of the RTB so that it can look into suspected problems or issues on its own initiative rather than wait on an explicit complaint or direction. An empowered RTB with a wide ranging remit is important in ensuring we set and protect standards in the growing rental sector."

(CD/MH)