Housing crisis protest at Dail

LANDLORDS will be able to hike up rents to market rates every time a student leaves private rental accommodation voluntarily, Housing Minister James Browne confirmed.

- BY LOUISE BURNE

He said that creating special provisions for cohorts who may have to move frequently, including students, junior doctors, and gardai, would be “unworkable” and “unenforceable”.

The Government confirmed plans last week to overhaul the Rent Pressure Zone legislation.

One part of this was that landlords could increase their rents to market rates after a six-year contract came to an end.

However, rents can also be raised at any stage if a tenant leaves voluntarily.