Simon Communities respond to Daft.ie Rental Price Report
The Simon Communities in Ireland say that figures released today from the Daft.ie 2018 Q1 Rental Report demonstrate how tenants are virtually powerless in the face of rising rents and very low supply. The housing and homelessness organisation also said that the report was further proof that Rent Pressure Zones should be urgently reviewed as they cannot work without proper monitoring and enforcement.
Rents rose nationwide by an average of 11.5% in the year to March 2018. Rents in the capital are now 30% higher than at their previous peak, a decade ago. This is impacting all areas across the country. Most of the urban centres experienced similar increases; in Limerick city the increase was 17.1%; in Galway the increase was 13.6%; in Waterford it was 14.6% in Dublin the increase was 12.8% in Cork the increase was 9.3% respectively. Outside the five main cities, rents rose by an average of 10.1%. Supply was also at the lowest ever level recorded with just 3,086 properties available to rent nationwide. This is the lowest number ever recorded since the series started in 2006 and is a 17% decrease on the same date a year previously.
Niamh Randall, National Spokesperson for the Simon Communities said that urgent measures to enhance security of tenure and to ensure rent certainty are needed.
‘Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ) and other measures cannot work without proper monitoring and enforcement by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Tenants cannot be expected to ‘police’ this private market when they are clearly at such a huge disadvantage with continuously diminishing supply and rising prices. Commitments from Minister Eoghan Murphy need to implemented urgently. Many of the nearly 10,000 men, women and children who are stuck in emergency accommodation come from the private rental sector where they were unable to afford to stay in the homes that they already had. Now they are stuck as the market is so expensive and supply is so low. Policy and legislative measures to increase security of tenure and rent certainty within all tenancies are the building blocks for a stable rental sector and we cannot understand why the Government is so slow to introduce them.’
‘Low-income families and those in receipt of state housing benefits, if they are lucky enough to find a rental home, are being hit by requests for unreasonable deposits and key money at the commencement of tenancies. The State must legislate for a statutory maximum of one month’s deposit paid at the commencement of a new tenancy. Bearing in mind ongoing revelations about overcrowding and quality in the private rented sector it is essential that an NCT type inspection system is implemented as soon as possible with the necessary enforcement mechanisms and severe penalties.’
‘The recent confusion regarding the March Emergency Accommodation figures published by the Department on April 30th 2018 is not helpful. It is also worrying to hear suggestions of moving from monthly reporting to quarterly reporting. In the midst of the greatest housing and homelessness crisis that we have known, it is vital that we have robust and comparable data. This facilitates planning and gives an indication of the trends and scale of the issue. It, of course, makes sense to improve the validity and reliability of the figures where possible but not to move to a new system.
We have written to the Minister to express our concern regarding these issues.’
The Simon Communities deliver supports and services to over 11,000 people and families who experience or are at risk of homelessness every year.
For media queries and interview requests
Helen McCormack
Tel: 01 671 1606/ 085 806 5141
E: communications@simoncommunity.com
About Simon Communities
The Simon Communities in Ireland are a network of eight regionally based independent Simon Communities based in Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, the Midlands, the Mid West, the North West and the South East that share common values and ethos in tackling all forms of homelessness throughout Ireland, supported by a National Office. The Simon Communities have been providing services in Ireland for almost 50 years. The Simon Communities deliver support and service to over 11,000 individuals and families throughout Ireland who experience – or are at risk of – homelessness every year. Whatever the issue, for as long as we are needed, Simon’s door is always open. For more information please log on to www.simon.ie
Services range from
- Housing provision, tenancy sustainment & settlement services, housing advice & information services helping people to make the move out of homelessness & working with households at risk;
- Specialist health & treatment services addressing some of the issues which may have contributed to homeless occurring or may be a consequence;
- Emergency accommodation & support providing people with a place of welcome, warmth & safety;
- Soup runs & rough sleeper teams who are often the first point of contact for people sleeping rough.
