Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 383: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce a system of rent control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25764/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 introduced a new regulatory framework governing private rented residential accommodation and it provided for, inter alia, the registration of private rented residential tenancies, the cheap and speedy resolution of disputes between parties to such tenancies and the establishment of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to discharge a range of functions relating to these matters.

The Act stipulates that the tenant of a dwelling must pay to the landlord, or his or her authorised agent, the rent provided for under the tenancy. The Act also provides that the rent may not be reviewed more frequently than once in each period of twelve months, unless a substantial change in the nature of the accommodation has occurred in the interim, and that the rent must be no greater than the market rent for that tenancy.

If non-compliance with the provisions of the Act relating to rent and rent reviews leads to a dispute between landlord and tenant either or both of the parties to the tenancy may refer the matter to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) for resolution.

While I have no plans to introduce a system of rent control in respect of private rented dwellings there are still a small number of formerly rent controlled properties. On a valid application being made to it, the rent on these properties is set by the Rent Tribunal which, under the Government's programme for the rationalisation of state agencies, is to be merged with the PRTB. Preparatory work on the legislative amendments required to underpin the merger is underway and these will be progressed at the earliest feasible legislative opportunity.