Government rejects SF proposal linking rents to price index

Plan would break link with fundamental means to determine rent - Simon Coveney

Tue Jun 14 2016 - 21:36

A Sinn Féin proposal to link rent review for private sector accommodation to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has been rejected by the Government.

Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin moved his party’s Private Member’s Rent Certainty Bill in the Dáil on Tuesday night.

“If passed, it would provide security and stability for renters and landlords in the private rental market,’’ he said.

Mr Ó Broin said average monthly rents in Dublin were almost €1,500, which was €17,448 annually.

Outside the capital, the figure was €8,772 annually, he added.

Minister for Housing Simon Coveney said the proposal would break the link with the fundamental mechanism for determining rent.

While the proposal looked attractive, particularly for tenants, there were issues which had to be considered carefully, he added.

“For instance, a properly functioning rental market needs to offer something for landlords as well as tenants,’’ said Mr Coveney.

Michael O’Regan is a former parliamentary correspondent of The Irish Times