Doherty TD tells Government to reverse rent hikes bill at Dáil Éireann

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, today called on the government to reverse their rent hikes bill before it inflicts serious hardship on tens of thousands of renters across this state.

Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions, Deputy Doherty said: “In a matter of days, landlords will be handed the power to reset rents to full market levels for new tenancies. Exactly as Sinn Féin warned, corporate landlords are preparing to cash in. They are not hiding it. They are telling shareholders that increased profits are coming because of decisions taken by Government.”

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“60,000 renters on average every year move into a new tenancy. So under your rules, the landlord will be free to set the rent at whatever the current market rate is - even if that means a jump of 25 per cent compared to what was paid before.”

Addressing Tánaiste Simon Harris, he said: “On the last sitting day before these rules take effect, I ask you directly - faced with clear evidence of who benefits and who pays, will your government - even at this late stage - reverse course and stop these rent resets before they inflict serious hardship on tens of thousands of renters across this state?”