Legislation to ban landlords and letting agents charging potential tenants fees for viewing properties is to be put forward by Labour.

The party's housing spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan made the call after it was revealed that some landlords are beginning to charge fees of up to €500 to allow potential tenants to view their property.

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She said: "Rents are rising at a rapid rate across the country and so many people are already priced out of the rental market. The idea that landlords are charging viewing fees is taking advantage of people who find themselves at the centre of the precarious housing crisis.

"Responding to calls from Threshold, the Labour Party has produced legislation to ban this unscrupulous practice. There are already many barriers and stresses for renters, we don’t need this kind of carry on to become a trend. It is just another example of people using the housing crisis to make a quick buck and exploit the precariousness of the housing crisis."

(CD/MH)