Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 6, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(c) in the Table—

(i) by deleting paragraph 3, and

(ii) in paragraph 5, by substituting “, no reasonable measures can be taken to maintain the dwelling fit for human habitation during the refurbishment or renovation” for “in a way which requires the dwelling to be vacated for that purpose”,

and”.

Across the House, we have all dealt with individuals and families who have been served with an eviction notice or a notice to vacate on the basis the landlord wishes to renovate the dwelling. While a landlord has a very legitimate right to renovate a dwelling, I have seen many questionable examples of people being made to vacate, effectively being evicted, from a rental property for very minor works. In that context, we need to raise the bar with regard to the grounds on which families, couples and individuals can be evicted or given notice to vacate a tenancy. In that respect, the amendment will provide that rather than stating, "in a way which requires the dwelling to be vacated for that purpose", the wording will be, "no reasonable measures can be taken to maintain the dwelling fit for human habitation during the refurbishment or renovation". Effectively, it will have to be deemed impossible to live in the dwelling while the renovations are being made.

This is a reasonable amendment, again in the spirit of ensuring there are greater protections for renters. It will mean it may be in only legitimate cases where there is substantial renovation that tenants may be asked to leave or be evicted from the property. We seek Senators' support in that regard.