‘Extremely unsettling’: Renters warn minister over plan to lift pressure zones
By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA
The proposal to lift rent pressure zones was called “unsettling”, “alarming” and “draconian” in correspondence sent to the Housing Minister.
Renters outlined their concerns and personal situations to James Browne after Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that rent caps could be lifted.
Correspondence released to the PA news agency under a Freedom of Information request shows that two emails were sent to Mr Browne from Mr Martin, who asked his Fianna Fáil colleague to examine his constituents’ concerns.
The Taoiseach has said the Government will consider abolishing 2 per cent rent caps at the end of the year.
A review by the Department of Housing said there were “challenges” with rent pressure zones (RPZs) but it also acknowledged a need to regulate the rental market in a way that provides “sustainable” rents.
On February 11, Mr Martin forwarded two emails to the Housing Minister he had received from Cork South-Central constituents concerned about abolishing RPZs.
“I would be grateful if the points raised could be examined and if you could advise me of the position,” Mr Martin said in both cases.
One email to the Taoiseach said: “Dear Mr Martin, I am absolutely appalled by your proposal to end rent pressure zones by the end of this year.
“I am frankly dumbfounded as to how one could think that this would in any way help with the housing emergency which Ireland and Cork have been facing for the past 10 years.”
Another, sent to all TDs in the Taoiseach’s constituency on February 11th, said: “I strongly disagree with removing this vital renter protection without first addressing the lack of housing.
“I sincerely doubt that many landlords have gotten out of the rental game explicitly because of rent pressure zones, which actually still allow them to incrementally increase rates.
“With houses as catastrophically expensive as they are, I do not know what renters like me are to do.
“Renters rely on a modicum of protection from our government to be able to afford to live, work and make a contribution in a town like Cork.
“I can stomach being unable to find a decent, affordable home to buy, but paying 100s of euro more in rent every year is pushing me and people in my position to breaking point, and ever further away from the simple wish of having a place of my own in a town I have made my home.”
A third-level student, who is renting in Dublin and a member of Fianna Fáil, wrote to the Housing Minister to express their concern at Mr Martin’s comments.
“I understand there is a constant stream of discontent across the entire country about rent levels at the moment but this proposed scrap would be beyond detrimental to the young people of this country.
“I am currently paying 950 euros for a small room in a house which was recently increased by the maximum 2%. If this rent cap was abolished I have no doubt that this would increase even further.
“As a student, even with substantial support from my parents any further increase would be extremely tough to come up with and would be detrimental to my education.
“Please consider strongly opposing this change if it indeed does come to discussion in the coming months.”
On February 12th, a renter told the Housing Minister that “the only thing that’s keeping a roof over my head” is that their rent could not be put up by more then 2 per cent.
“If it’s lifted I can see a considerable raise in my rent overnight,” they said.
In separate correspondence, a HAP recipient said removing RPZs could leave them homeless.
“This would be catastrophic for a large proportion of the vulnerable population of Ireland including ourselves,” an email sent on February 11th said.
“I understand the need for private investment in future housing projects in Ireland but surely it cannot come at the expense of all us who are already unfairly burdened with extortionate rents.”
They said their HAP payments do not cover their rental costs, and they have to deal with issues such as black mould that the property management has not tackled in three years.
“We are in no position to pay an increased rent and will alarmingly find ourselves homeless if the rent pressure zone cap is abolished at the end of 2025 as apartments in our complex in (redacted) are currently renting in excess of 2,000 euro monthly.
“In the current climate I implore you all to reconsider such draconian measures and to think about the significant proportion of vulnerable people of this country that this change will adversely impact.”
Another renter wrote on February 12th that they and others they had spoken to were having “sleepless nights” due to the uncertainty in rent regulations.
“As someone who relies on the protection that RPZs currently provide, I am deeply worried about what a shift to rent referencing, as suggested by the Taoiseach, could mean for renters like myself.
“While I understand that the Government is aiming to create a more stable environment for investment, I want to stress that it’s just as crucial to create stability for those of us who are renting, especially when rents are already through the roof.”
They expressed concern about whether reference rents would price them out of the market.
“The constant worry over whether the next rent hike will push us out of our homes has already taken an emotional toll,” they said.
In correspondence sent on February 12th, a renter said they were already paying “excessive amounts in rent” and the possibility this could increase by more than 4 per cent was “extremely unsettling”.
“I understand in order for a rental marker to exist, private landlords need benefits and profit.
“However, I don’t see how landlords receiving over 2,500 euro for one and two-bedroom apartments are not making a huge profit.”
Several landlords also wrote to the housing minister: one argued that RPZs limited their ability to repay their mortgage, another said that their area should not be a rent pressure zone and a third said the lifting of rent caps was not enough to keep them from exiting the market.
