SF Announces Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill 2016

Sinn Féin have announced the introduction of the Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill 2016, which seeks to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 in order to provide for greater rent certainty and security of tenure for tenants in the private rented sector.

Announcing the Bill, housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD said: "140 years ago, Michael Davitt, Anna Parnell and others founded the Land League. Their aim was to mobilise renters to campaign to improve their lot. Two of their key demands were fair rents and security of tenure.

"140 years on and renters are still struggling with these issues. 750,000 people live in the private rented sector. One in four households in Dublin rent. Hundreds of thousands of families are living with insecurity of tenure and spiralling rent."

Deputy Ó Broin said that he is concerned recent public comments mde by the Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney, that indicate he has ruled out the policies that would give renters greater security.

"Today, I have introduced the Secure Rents and Tenancies Bill. The Bill coincides with the Secure Rents Campaign currently underway and sponsored by Uplift the Communications Workers Union, IMPACT, Mandate, SIPTU and UNITE and the Dublin Tenants Association," Deputy Ó Broin continued.

"The Bill provides for rent certainty, with rent increases and decreases, linked to the Consumer Price Index.

"The Bill will also amend section 28 of the Residential Tenancies Act by changing the duration of Part 4 tenancies from four years to an indefinite duration. This provides both tenants and landlords with the option of securing longer term leases, providing greater certainty for both parties.

"Thirdly the Bill, if enacted, will remove sale of property as grounds for a landlord to terminate a tenancy. The sale of any rented property should not lead to the termination of a tenancy and the tenants of a residential property should have similar rights to the tenants of commercial properties.

"Sinn Féin will table this Bill for second stage debate next week during our Private Members Time. 750,000 renters will be watching closely to see where TDs stand on these key issues of rent certainty and security of tenure."

(MH/LM)