Greatest fear of Mayo private home renters cited by new national research

New research published today by Threshold, the national housing charity and the Citizen’s Information Board (CIB) has found that tenancy termination is the most prevalent issue facing private renters, with vulnerable clients on fixed incomes most likely to be adversely impacted.

The issue of rent increases also ranked highly for renters, especially those in receipt of housing support, with children or with a fixed income.

These are issues being experienced by renters of all ages and backgrounds.

Key recommendations to improve security for private sector renters, made in the report, include the inclusion of a right to housing in the Constitution and the removal of “no-fault” eviction from the Residential Tenancies Acts.

The latter means means a landlord would only be able to evict where a tenant has breached the agreement, for example non-payment of rent or damage to the property.

To address affordability issues, the report recommends expanding Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) nationally, developing a greater enforcement of RPZs and developing supports for renters who accrue rent arrears.

One-in-five households now live in rented accommodation compared to one-in-10 in the 1990s, with Ireland experiencing a significant shift in tenure pattern, either by choice or necessity.

The age profile of those living in private rented accommodation is also changing, with people now living in the sector for longer.

With access to over 90,000 queries from Threshold and Citizen Information Services (CISs) over a two-year period, from those who sought advice, the research provides a rich insight into the difficulties and barriers experienced by people in accessing and retaining suitable and affordable housing, with particular reference to those relying on the private rental sector for social housing.

Ann-Marie O’Reilly, policy officer with Threshold, said that the data in this report is indicative of the extent to which the private rental sector now operates and renders an increasing number of tenants vulnerable:

“Anyone who has ever rented a home will likely identify with this sentiment.

"This lack of security was most strongly evident in the exposure experienced by private renters when their landlord decided to sell the home, or to take it back for their own use, or when a private renter feels they must accept an invalid rent increase.

“Rental prices have increased nationally by almost 80% in the past 10 years. This growth has been driven predominantly by the Dublin market where growth of 90% has been recorded over the period.

"The research finds the lack of security of tenure is foremost in the findings, together with the problem of how this lack of security impacts on the agency of the tenant in the tenant landlord relationship – that is the lack of control and a negotiating imbalance for tenants.”

Fiona Coyne, chief executive of the Citizens Information Board stated: “We were delighted to take the opportunity to partner with Threshold in commissioning this research.

"This unique analysis has been borne out of the shared experience of our funded services in supporting clients to secure and maintain a home in the private rental sector.

"With this joint research we are also marking ten years of a collaborative relationship with Threshold.

"Since 2012, Threshold advisers have been providing specialist support and a dedicated helpline to Citizens Information Services.

"This has greatly assisted frontline staff in assisting clients with complex housing queries.”