Appeal for ban on Mayo rent increases after shocking hike report

Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh has demanded that the government ban rent increases in the private rental sector as rents continue to spiral upwards in Mayo.

The call was made as the latest Daft.ie rent report shows Mayo rents at one of the fastest rates in the state, rising by a shocking 18.9% over the last 12 months.

Deputy Conway-Walsh said: “Today’s Daft.ie report shows rents continuing to spiral upwards.

"New rents are up 18.9% in Mayo over the last 12 months. This is the third-highest rate of increase in the state.

“An average new rental in Mayo is now costing a staggering €1,259 a month. This is totally unaffordable for people on ordinary incomes in Mayo.

“I have repeatedly called on the Minister to introduce Rent Pressure Zones in Mayo.

“Renters in Mayo desperately need a break. It is time for the government to take up my proposal to ban rent increases for three years and to put a full month’s rent back into every private renter’s pocket through a refundable tax credit.

“Government must also increase and accelerate the delivery of affordable rental and purchase homes.

"People in mayo suffering under the housing crisis can't keep waiting for this out of touch government to act. The longer the government stays in office, the worse things are becoming.

“We need at least 8,000 genuinely affordable homes a year across the state to meet current need as outlined in Sinn Féin’s Alternative Housing Budget for 2024.”