Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy TD has been urged to introduce amendments in the new Residential Tenancies Bill to protect tenants from eviction in buy to let properties.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD spoke out on the issue, seeking the Minister to implement measures identified in the Focus Ireland amendment which was rejected by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Deputy Ó Broin said: "Figures from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive indicate that landlords serving a notice to quit because they intend to sell the property is still one of the leading causes of family homelessness. 

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"The reported figures show that of the 162 families that provided information on the reason why they had to vacate their home, 87 of these families were told it was because the landlord intended to sell the property. 

“Opposition parties, activists and NGOs have been warning the government that this is a growing problem since December 2016 and yet it still does nothing to stem the flow of families into homelessness."

He continued: "I introduced a Bill late last year, the Residential Tenancies (Prevention of Family Homelessness) Bill 2018, would make it illegal to evict tenants in buy-to-let properties on the grounds that the property is being sold. 

"If the Minister for Housing is serious about tackling the housing and homeless crisis one of the most vital things he can do is introduce amendments to his own housing Bill which will tackle the issue.

"The government is running to stand still on this issue and until it reduces the number of families presenting as homeless every month, the homeless figures will continue to rise."

(CM/MH)