Two more towns in Co Kildare due to be added to rent cap designated zones

Housing Minister Simon Coveney is planning to add two Co Kildare towns to designated zones for rent caps.

Landlords can increase rent by only 4pc a year for the next three years in designated zones. The Housing Agency is believed to have identified electoral areas in Cork and Galway where rent caps need to be introduced. A number of areas in counties along the Dublin commuter belt are also expected to be designated.

It is now anticipated that Monastervin and Rathangan are being examined to meet the designated areas. Areas in Co Kildare already designated are Kildare: Maynooth, Naas, Sallins, Newbridge, Kilcock and Kill.

Towns in Limerick and Waterford are not expected to see rent caps introduced following the outcome of the Housing Agency's review but could be designated as pressure zones in a future audit. The minister was criticised when he introduced his rent strategy as only areas in Dublin and Cork were designated as pressure zones.