Changes to rent controls announced - discussion

[stormy]

I had considered that, but I assumed they’d still be actively pushing to get their concerns through to the government—highlighting just how harmful the proposals are in hopes of influencing change. After all, their livelihood is at stake. Given the current proposals, your agent’s response is accurate.

 

[Greenbook]

I had considered that, but I assumed they’d still be actively pushing to get their concerns through to the government—highlighting just how harmful the proposals are in hopes of influencing change. After all, their livelihood is at stake.

I think that they have concluded, like many of ourselves, that there is no point. This has been going on for 9 years and officials in charge of the PRS in the Department of Housing are convinced that, with the correct level of restrictions, the lack of supply and high rents will be solved. It is just a case of finding the correct level of tight restrictions.

And, whatever about us, this is what tenants are facing. This woman got an eviction notice recently presumably caused by these changes.

Irish independent article

 

[bipped]

From the linked article:
Min Browne said “Key measures include national rent control, ending no-fault evictions for larger landlords, and limiting tenancy terminations for smaller landlords, with additional reforms expected from March 1, 2026, for new tenancies”

Additional reforms?

 

[Greenbook]

Min Browne said “Key measures include national rent control, ending no-fault evictions for larger landlords, and limiting tenancy terminations for smaller landlords, with additional reforms expected from March 1, 2026, for new tenancies”

Thanks for that - I did not spot it. Wonderful, additional and as yet unannounced reforms! It is a foregone conclusion that these additional 'reforms' will be additional restrictions on landlords.

 

[stormy]

I think that they have concluded, like many of ourselves, that there is no point.

Probably the only logical explanation for their stance. It's baffling they would give in though, it really is to the detriment of everyone.

And, whatever about us, this is what tenants are facing.

I agree—and of course has to be kept in mind. Many landlords who’ve previously tried to support tenants with favorable rents have ended up paying a steep price for it. Now anyone who lets a further part commence needs to have their eyes wide open if they are any bit below market rate now. And the new system effectively pushes owners to charge the maximum possible and then some for the new tenancies to encourage turnover.

Additional reforms?

I shudder at the thought.

 

[bipped]

This was in the draft programme for government (pg 45)

“Protect Renters and Landlords from abusive practices by- Establishing a Rent Price register. Enhancing the enforcement powers of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and establishing statutory timelines for dealing with complaints”

Could that be the additional reforms? Or this (from the Indep today, https://archive.ph/djXA5)

“The Department of Housing is also understood to be undertaking a review of the Housing Assistance Payment, with potential changes on the cards to improve access to housing in the private rental sector”

 

[letitroll]

My favourite narrative trick played by the left is that renters need to be protected from ruthless and heartless landlords and that rules and regulations are the only way to do that. When in fact the best tenant protection is optionality via availability which is a function of supply, supply, supply - a functioning and adequately or even oversupplied rental market that provides choice and dare I say it even an incentive to be a 'good' landlord is the actual answer....you wont be believe how nice landlords can be when tenants are hard to come by, vacancy rates nudge up to ~5%+ and vacancy periods between leases are measured in weeks versus the hours we have now...all this should be within institutional memory.....in the 2008-2012 period it was landlords that needed protecting from renters as rent prices collapsed and tenants bossed around landlords for new toasters, hoovers, fridges petrified their tenants might break their lease or leave at the end of their term landlords then did what they we're told.

Renters had leverage via rental market availability - isn't that fundamentally the best renter protection?!?!? And doesn't this really extend to all areas of life? For those that have been around the block in business and in life you kind of figure it out after a while - you can have all the rules and regs you want written down in HR manuals or in legal agreements between parties but when push comes to shove its leverage that counts.....and via chronic undersupply of rental properties renters have lost all their leverage in Ireland and all the rules and regulations in the world wont put that genie back in the bottle only increased supply.