Renters should not foot the bill for Fianna Fáil’s failures – Eoin Ó Broin TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that renters should not have to door the bill for Fianna Fáil’s failures in housing.

The Dublin Mid-West TD’s comments were made in response to Taoiseach Micheal Martin’s suggestion that the Rent Pressure Zone regulations could be scrapped this year.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“In recent weeks, there has been a very aggressive lobby by institutional investors seeking to have the Rent Pressure Zone regulations scrapped.

“The consequence of such a move would be even more dramatic increases in rents than we have seen in recent years.

“Tenants have seen the cost of renting increase dramatically in recent years. The latest data from the Residential Tenancies Board shows that rents for both new and existing renters are significantly higher than the RPZ 2% cap.

“Rent regulation is not the reason for sluggish new housing supply. This is down to the failures of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s housing plan.

“Renters should not have to foot the bill for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s Failures in housing.

“Indeed, renters need greater protection from rent hikes, including a three year ban on rent increases and a full month’s rent back into every private renters’ pocket.”