Tipperary TD condemns 'staggering' 10.4% annual rent increases across the county

Staggering 10.4% annual rent increases in Tipperary show the longer Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are in government the worse things get, according to Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne.

The Tipperary TD echoed calls by Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin, for the Government to ban rent increases for all existing and new tenants.

Deputy Browne said that the latest report from the RTB showing massive increases in rents was “shocking”.

Families, workers and young people deserve and needed affordable housing and affordable rents, he said.

“Sinn Féin’s proposal to cut rents and freeze them would have prevented these massive increases in rents.

“The yearly percentage change in Tipperary for new tenancies has increased by a staggering 10.4% bringing average rental costs to €939, while for existing tenancies the year-on-year change is recorded as being 5.9%, bringing the average rent for existing tenancies to €773,” said Deputy Browne. “That this was simply unsustainable.”

“When will it end? Renters in Tipperary cannot keep taking these kinds of rent hikes. They need a break. But this government does not care about renters. That much is clear,” he said.

“They tell us they are making an impact on housing. Unfortunately, that impact is just putting affordable housing and affordable rents further out of reach for people. No wonder so many young people who cannot afford his level of rents are emigrating,

“Government must urgently introduce a ban on rent increases for existing and new tenancy. They must also put a full month’s rent back in every private renter’s pocket.

“Government also needs to increase and accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes, including cost rental homes, so that renters are not left at the mercy of an expensive and insecure private rental sector.

“The longer Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are in government the worse things get. Nowhere has this been more evident than from this report that shows massive rent increases over the last 12 months,” he said.