Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/ArmanMkrtchyan

Landlord group says it has 'deep-rooted' reservations about potential eviction ban

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien yesterday said he has been “exploring options” regarding an eviction ban.

THE IRISH PROPERTY Owners’ Association (IPOA) has said it has “deep-rooted” reservations about a possible move to introduce eviction bans on landlords whose tenants cannot pay their rents. 

The group said it is its contention that such a measure “would be disastrous for the sector and it will only serve to dissuade landlords from continuing to maintain properties to rent”. 

The IPOA’s statement comes after Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien yesterday said that while no decision has been made regarding a blanket eviction ban yet, he has been “exploring options”. 

“We’ve got to be very careful that any measures that could potentially be taken don’t have unintended consequences either, such as further diminishing the rental supply that is there,” O’Brien told Newstalk’s On The Record

“We’re doing this while thankfully, in a positive way, we’re seeing an increase in new build supply right across social and affordable housing and indeed private housing and we need to see that continue,” the Minister said. 

A number of opposition parties have been calling for an eviction ban, with TDs in many parties stating that their constituency offices are filling up with people with notice to quit evictions that are due to come into effect in the winter and new year.

On Thursday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the introduction of a ban on evictions this winter is being kept under review by Government. 

Speaking to reporters at the inaugural summit of the “European Political Community” in Prague, he said Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien had consulted with the attorney general about a ban.

It is understood the Department of Housing is in consultation with the AG’s office, but the minister is very conscious of need to carefully assess whether restricting property rights would be the subject of a legal challenge or would lead to more ordinary landlords leaving the system.

There are also concerns interference could jeopardise continued investment in the rental accommodation market.

The IPOA claimed the recent Budget provided an opportunity to introduce fiscal supports for the sector, which would have alleviated supply issues, but that support was not forthcoming. 

“As the representative body for small landlords, we have grave reservations about such moves happening without consultation with the sector, and particuarly so because the proposed measures could have the effect of completely eroding the constitutional rights and protections desgined to protect property owners,” IPOA chairperson Mary Conway said. 

Conway said landlords are “not immune to the cost of living crisis”, adding that many of them “depend on their rental income to pay their mortgages, and other business expenses, while trying to make provisions for their families and pensions in the years to come”. 

“We are calling on Government to avoid this highly discriminatory and divisive proposal and instead work with the sector to help to increase supply in the market,” she said. 

“Through such meaningful engagement, measures could be designed to stave off the ever-increasing numbers who are leaving the residential property sector becasue of their deep disillusionment with the increasing regulatory and financial burdens associated with letting a property,” she said. 

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday afternoon, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said a winter eviction ban would just “store up the problem” for Spring.

He said evictions are relatively uncommon in Ireland and if someone gets a notice to quit, they have a period of time before they have to leave the property. 

“I think the difficulty with a ban on evictions is that it stores up the problem for when you lift the ban. And that’s part of what we’re experiencing now. So I know some people say you have a blanket ban over the winter period, but what then happens in the spring? It doesn’t necessarily solve the problem. It just defers and makes it worse a little bit later,” he added. 

The IPOA has written to the coalition party leaders to oppose a potential eviction ban. 

With reporting by Christina Finn

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
61 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby
    Favourite Bobby
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 5:31 PM

    Id say those under 60 are not much better.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute richardmccarthy
    Favourite richardmccarthy
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 4:47 PM

    I must be one of the 18%,ever since i stopped smoking 7 years ago i took to cycling excersize with a vengence, clocking up anything from 150/200 km per week on mostly coastal trips,as a form of excersize to help keep the body in shape it is very hard to beat, and would have no hesitation whatever in recommending it,just remember to wear proper hi vis clothing with helmet and a good pair of extra strong sole shoes used just for cycling shoes,and of course a good hibrid bike with strong tyres are a must.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emily Elephant
    Favourite Emily Elephant
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 5:41 PM

    You do 200k on a hybrid? Is your back made of titanium?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute richardmccarthy
    Favourite richardmccarthy
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 7:11 PM

    Well Emily i never had a problem with back strenght,and even hills are not a problem to me now,but as an ex marathon runner back in the eighties i know that regular exersize builds up mental as well as body strenght and things you once thought impossible you take them in your stride, cycling is easy compared to running marathons and of course the fact you enjoy it is a big plus.

    12
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emily Elephant
    Favourite Emily Elephant
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 7:52 PM

    Fair play to you. When my commute went to 11k my back said fook that, and it’s been a road bike ever since. Apparently someone did the Wicklow 200 on a DublinBike last year. Insane.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Good News Caravan
    Favourite Good News Caravan
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 6:43 PM

    Old folk really are lazy. It takes an age to coax my grandma out the back garden for burpees and high intensity interval training.

    I take a carrot and stick approach whereby if she doesn’t go she gets her meals taken from her.

    Fair is fair after all

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee4
    Favourite Dee4
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 5:16 PM

    no reason not to be physically healthy through to your 70′s, use it lose it.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Angelic Lestat
    Favourite Angelic Lestat
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 4:57 PM

    I think the next generation or two will be much more physically active as they age.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marjorie Magee
    Favourite Marjorie Magee
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 10:55 PM

    Some will, but many will be too fat.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hallie Burton
    Favourite Hallie Burton
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 6:46 PM

    OK then.
    No smoking in the car.
    No giant sized drinks.
    Get yer cervix checked
    Embrace a Gay lifestyle
    Don’t drink the water from a private well
    Make eyer mind up, do you want a fry or a bale of briquettes
    Be careful flying with a certain American Airline
    I think that’s it ,now off for a walk and just hope the TV is not nicked while I’m out. :-)

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
    Favourite Sheik Yahbouti
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 11:42 PM

    Spot on, Hallie, my man:-)

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marjorie Magee
    Favourite Marjorie Magee
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 10:54 PM

    Exercise is the key to a healthy old age. I am in my sixties and do a lot more than the recommended amount. I feel the same as I did 40 years ago and have no stiffness and soreness of joints. But you have to like doing it…..

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
    Favourite Sheik Yahbouti
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 11:40 PM

    I’m puzzled. In thread after thread the over sixties are vilified, or at least criticised for consuming health care, for drawing pensions (which they have worked for) and for having paid off their mortgages. Why the sudden interest in extending our lives? I had thought it could only be a couple of years before we received a cyanide pill in the post from Ms Burton and her Department of social protection (try saying that name with a straight face).

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Mill
    Favourite Catherine Mill
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 6:22 PM

    Nanny state.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marc O'Donoghue
    Favourite Marc O'Donoghue
    Report
    Jun 6th 2014, 10:54 PM

    Fewer than half, not less than half.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds