Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I want to focus on two particular issues. In regard to the difference between corporate landlords and the individual landlord, from what we can see the rents of the corporate landlords are higher. Is the RTB gathering information in that regard? One of the criticisms is that corporate landlords can leave properties vacant and increase demand as a consequence. Is that an aspect that the RTB is looking at?

I note from the figures provided that 40% of all of registered tenancies are in the Dublin area where rents are highest. As mentioned in the RTB opening statement, for the people in the sector who are renting affordability is the key issue. Is the RTB looking into any particular aspect of that in regard to the corporate landlords? In regard to build-to-rent, we know that is the intended purpose of the build, but does the RTB look at those particular projects when completed from the point of view of the occupancy rate?

It would seem to me an obvious one, given that new properties are being held back. There is only one intention for those and that is they will be rented. Is that something the RTB will be doing into the future or is that within its remit?

Does the RTB appreciate how the housing assistance payment, HAP, works from a tenant's perspective? The Department puts limits on the amount one spends on rent. If one applies for HAP and the cost of rent is €500 higher than is permitted, the application will be refused. Even if the rent is a fairly small amount higher than what is permitted, the application will be refused. That is why these top-up payments are so important. In 2017, 28% of applicants were topping up their payments and it is likely that percentage is higher now. What is happening to the rest of it? Is it not being reported to Revenue? Does the RTB intend to liaise with the Department on the issue?