Calls to criminalise landlords for breaching rent pressure guidelines

Calls for legislation to criminalise landlords who breach rent pressure guidelines are being called for.

A statement tonight from The Irish Property Owners Association said: "Both landlords and tenants need fair and equitable treatment.   Introducing legislation criminalising landlords, who breach rent pressure guidelines, without the provision of a method to address landlords substantially disadvantaged by really low rents, is fundamentally unfair.   Legislation being introduced to the market should be balanced and needs to address issues that affect both the providers of accommodation as well as the occupants."

Mr Faughnan, Chairman of the Irish Property Owners’ Association, stated “Penalties must be appropriate and proportionate.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to attract investors to the private rental sector.  The State needs to be encouraging investment not criminalising investors.”

He said: "Investors need confidence and stability to invest.  Continual interference in the market is damaging the sector."