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DAIL DEBATE
DÁIL ÉIREANN
Mr. Kelleher: I welcome the opportunity to debate the issues surrounding private residential tenancies. It is topical on a number of fronts, especially the escalating house prices and expensive rental market. While huge advances have been made with regard to the increase in the number of houses under construction, young people who are not on the capital ladder continue to encounter difficulties when purchasing their first home. That issue must also be addressed and it must be ensured that landlords and tenants have rights. The legislation addresses both sides of the argument and provides a compromise. I recall during history classes in school learning about the Land League and the three Fs - free sale, fair rent and fixity of tenure. The Bill addresses security of tenure. Rents have increased significantly in recent times and Members will be aware of many evictions, particularly in urban areas, because tenants had no rights and landlords sought people who were capable of paying higher rents. While that may be considered to be part of a fair and open market, it was unfair to long-term tenants who kept their accommodation in reasonable nick. They were evicted because of increased rents, which resulted from an increase in our population through immigration and the return of many emigrants. However, we must be broad minded and adventurous in addressing the underlying problems. House prices are escalating at a pace that will create major problems down the road. My friends are finding it exceedingly difficult not only to secure rented accommodation but also to meet the rents being sought, which only a few years ago were the equivalent of a mortgage repayment. While that pressure remains on the housing market, it must be addressed. Threshold has welcomed the Bill's provisions while the Irish Property Owners Association has not. Under the chairmanship of Tom Dunne, the commission brought forward sensible proposals and I compliment the Government on implementing its recommendations in legislative form. Local authorities are among the worst landlords in Ireland . They renege on their basic responsibilities to ensure anti-social behaviour is eradicated on their properties and the curtilages of properties are maintained in a reasonable condition. People dump rubbish outside their houses, for instance, on many local authority housing estates and local authorities make no effort to ensure this activity ceases. This issue must be addressed. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 contains provisions to address anti-social behaviour but many local authorities are shirking their responsibilities and washing their hands of the problem by pointing out they are suffering from a lack of resources. It does not take much to deal with people who engage in anti-social behaviour on local authority estates and who do not maintain their properties in a reasonable condition. Every person who is physically capable should be obliged to maintain their property. Once the standard of local authority housing estates falls, it has a knock-on effect and communities are demoralised across the board. I refer to stage payments, which is a serious issue in Cork . When a person is purchasing a house, he or she puts down a booking deposit and pays the balance on signing the contract. This is followed by a payment when the ground work is completed and another payment when joist level is reached. Finally, when the snag list is completed, the person draws down the mortgage. Debate adjourned. |