Three-year rent freeze needed to tackle crisis, says Labour’s Moynihan

The Government must urgently implement a three year rent freeze, according to Labour housing spokesperson Senator Rebecca Moynihan.

The call comes after news has emerged that homes available for rent have reached an all-time low while rental inflation has reached seven percent nationwide.

Pointing to the recent Residential Tenancies Board report and now the Daft report, Senator Moynihan said it is clear that there is “blatant” non-compliance with rental inflation caps and the balance between renters and landlords is the cause of this.

Senator Moynihan said government should revise their targets for cost rental, increasing beyond 2,000 per year in light of the severe supply and affordability crisis.

“We need a culture change with how we approach rent in this country,” she said.

“Today’s Daft report is another sign that government’s investor led approach just isn’t working. Investors can’t deliver affordable rents, only direct state intervention or Land Development Agency intervention can.

“Labour has long called for a three year rent freeze to give renters a break while new housing comes into the market.

“This is hugely important to try and stymy the crisis in the market and must be done in tandem with an increase in State built cost rental schemes. We are calling on government to increase this beyond 2,000 per year.

“In the context of a market with ‘unprecedented scarcity’, I am also reiterating Labour’s call to government to increase renters’ rights and put some power back in their hands.

“As part of this, government must ask that the BTR standards be reviewed to including balconies and facilities for more long-term living.

“Building poor quality housing doesn’t allow people to live there comfortably long term.

“We need to empower renters to make them feel that their house is their home.

“We need to tackle the affordability crisis and change how we think about renting in this country.”