Rent Control Measure Could Affect Tenants - SF

A proposal from the government to limit rent certainty measures to those in receipt of Rent Supplement could decrease the number landlords willing to take rent supplement tenants.

Criticising the government, Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis, said: "Rent Certainty is an element of broader rent regulations we have called for in order to make renting affordable for the poor and low earners. Such affordability would greatly help in stopping the increases in those becoming homeless.

"We completely support rent certainty but the limited proposal discussed by government before the budget would do more harm than good.

"By limiting rent increases only for Rent Supplement, landlords would be less likely to take on tenants in receipt of the payment. Rent Supplement recipients already struggle to find places for rent as they are seen as less profitable by landlords.

We need real rent regulation for all tenants. We need to set a standard rent rate for local areas to bring affordability now while limiting future increases. We must also then look at increasing rent supplement rates to match the market and protect recipients from discrimination."

(MH/CD)