Minister for Housing James Browne says he is “very confident” that legislation expanding rent pressure zones (RPZ) across the country will be passed this week.
Speaking at a press conference on housing, he said the Coalition is treating the housing crisis as an emergency.
The minister said he is “very, very frustrated and impatient” to make progress but feels “really significant announcements” are being made and will continue to be made.
He rejected any suggestion that the Government made a mistake by not extending RPZs last week.
He contended the Government has moved “very quickly” and the legislation will pass the Oireactas this week with the help of the Opposition.
The Minister said he recognised that there had been a “significant” increase in land prices recently.
He said he would be writing to Local Authorities in three weeks time, urging them to “increase land acquisition”.
Minister Browne also said it would be “unworkable and unenforceable” to require landlords to offer special exemptions to students and lower their rent.
He said there would be no such exemptions in his rental reform legislation.
The minister said tenants will not face financial penalties should they choose to break a six-year lease which are due to come into force in March of next year.
He said that is because landlords will have a large number of prospective tenants and will be able to reset any rent to the market value.
He added that the changes to An Bord Pleanála, which is now to be called An Coimisiún Pleanála, will be substantial and help deliver more housing and infrastructure.
The Cabinet this morning approved the legislation that will extend the 2% rent hike cap to the 17% of tenancies which are currently not covered.
This piece of legislation is now set to be debated and passed in the Dáil tomorrow and in the Seanad the following day. It could be signed into law by Friday.
Opposition parties are going to support the move but will likely request more time to debate it tomorrow.
The Land Development Agency will also be tasked with delivering more homes across the country.
The agency will get stronger powers to find and acquire land suitable for housing from both public and private sources.
Minister Browne said: “We must maximise the potential of every tool at our disposal if we are to accelerate housing delivery to the levels necessary to meet this country’s needs. The LDA has proven very successful in delivering social and affordable housing to date and I am convinced that it can do even more.
“These changes follow on the heels of other recent interventions: the revised National Planning Framework, key planning changes on extensions and exemptions, the establishment of the Housing Activation Office and crucial reform to the rental sector. I will continue to introduce improvements and innovations to ensure we can build the homes that everyone needs.”
This evening the Dáil will debate an opposition motion calling for greater investment in public housing along with the introduction of a no fault evictions ban.
A Raise the Roof housing protest is also due to take place later at the gates of Leinster House.
‘Dangerous’ situation for renters
Labour Spokesperson on Housing Conor Sheehan said his party is likely to support emergency legislation to extend rent controls nationwide.
He said the current situation was dangerous for renters and he had heard anecdotal evidence of landlords talking about or “jacking up” rent.
Mr Sheehan said the rent pressure zone announcement from Government last week was confusing and incoherent.
He said he had not seen the detail of the bill, but it must extend blanket nationwide coverage for rent controls with no exceptions.
