Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

Rent is generally set on the open market. It has regard to the rents charged in equivalent properties in its area. If people feel that the rent is excessive, then they have the right to refer the matter to the board, which has the right to order a reduction in that rent. However, only 1% of all cases referred to the PRTB in 2006 dealt with rent, which is an interesting figure. If a cap was put on rents between 2002 and 2005, many of those in rented accommodation would not have benefitted from the serious reductions that took place. In other jurisdictions where caps were put in place, the experience has been that it has not worked in the interest of the person renting.

The Government is anxious that enough housing units are available. Up to 700,000 new housing units have been built in ten years which means there is adequate availability of rented accommodation.

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