Opposition criticises 'ramshackle' rental reforms in Dáil 

The change will prevent landlords from hiking rents by more than 2% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.

However, the changes will only remain in place until March 2026, when wider rent reforms are introduced which includes allowing landlords to reset rents to market rates under certain circumstances.

Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, described the reforms proposed by the Government as an “utter shambles”.

In my entire time in Dáil Éireann, I have never witnessed a more haphazard, ramshackle, back of the envelope process for putting in place widespread reform that is going to effect tens of thousands of people.

He said the overall proposals were complex and difficult to understand, and said this could be exploited by some “rogue landlords”.

He added that semi-professional or accidental landlords may misunderstand the revised rules and cause more disputes at the Residential Tenancies Board, which Mr Ó Broin says cannot handle the existing caseload.

The Dublin Mid-West TD said Sinn Féin would support the emergency laws, but in the months ahead the Government would “rip the heart out” of rent pressure zones with their wider reforms.

Housing minister James Browne said the proposals were balanced and measured. He said it would ensure the continuation of tenants protections.

Mr Browne was critical of the opposition, describing an attempt to “whip up anger among people for purely political ends”. He said the opposition was being “dishonest” in their criticism.

In particular, Mr Browne said some tactics used by the opposition were similar to the far-right, accusing them of “deliberately misrepresenting” Dáil procedures to attack the Government.

Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan expressed anger at the comparison, calling on Mr Browne to withdraw the remark.

Mr Browne said the opposition was looking to have it “both ways”, after their backing of the legislation was confirmed in the Dáil chamber. The housing minister added there was “no incentive” for landlords to evict tenants, saying they would not be permitted to reset rents if they did so.

Mr Sheehan said investors would not be negatively impacted by the Government’s proposals, but renters would be.

The thing about these investors is they’ll always want more. If its not apartment sizes, then its rent caps.

“They’ll come along in time and they’ll look for you to remove the very limited restrictions that you have put on them.” 

Social Democrats housing spokesman Rory Hearne accused the Government of “bowing to investors, to lobbyists and landlords”.

The new laws are expected to pass through all Dáil stages today, before completing its legislative journey in the Seanad on Thursday.

It is expected that President Michael D Higgins could sign the revised rules into law as early as Friday.