Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On the specific question of rent increases, since 2019 there have been exemptions around rent pressure zones for certain types of works. These might include a tenancy not existing in respect of the dwelling in the two years immediately prior to the current tenancy beginning. Such works might include a permanent alteration to the internal layout, adapting it for a person with a disability, a permanent increase in the number of rooms or improvement of the building energy rating of up to seven points.

There are robust mechanisms already in place and the vast majority of retrofitting works taking place in rental properties, such as installing attic insulation, pumping insulation into walls, etc., will be non-invasive. In some cases, deep retrofits would not ordinarily require an occupier to leave the property. The protections are there. If there are specific examples that the Deputy has in his area, please provide them to us because we would like to look into them further.

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