Kelly Announces Further Rent Certainty Measures

Environment Minister Alan Kelly has announced further rent certainty measures under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015.

The provisions will come into effect on 09 May.

The new features include:

• A requirement that a notice of new rent, sent from a landlord to a tenant, must include details of the dispute resolution procedures available in the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and be accompanied by details of the rent in respect of three comparable dwellings.

• Stronger verification arrangements in relation to the termination of a tenancy, including statutory declarations where a landlord wishes to sell the dwelling or requires it for themselves or a family member.

• A requirement that confirmation of a tenancy registration, which is currently sent to the landlord, must also be sent to the tenant, together with information setting out landlord and tenant rights and obligations.

The Minister has already introduced a number of measures under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015, including major reforms to provide further certainty on rent and better protection for both landlords and tenants.

Minister Kelly said: "The provisions around tenancy terminations and notice of new rent are a central plank of the Government's rent certainty package and provide an important further protection for tenants under the Residential Tenancies Acts.

"The new requirements will guard against, for example, landlords falsely declaring that the property is needed for a family member, or that it is going to be sold, and ensure that there is a proper and binding notification process in place for all proposed rent changes.

"The new measures will also ensure that all parties are aware of their rights and the consequences of any infringement of those rights. This will assist in protecting tenants from illegal rent increases and will act to discourage landlords from breaking the law."

(LM/CD)