Rent Signs in an auctioneer's window in Dublin: the average cost of a new tenancy has risen by more than 9 per cent over the past year. There are few signs of improvement in the key trends in the latest quarterly update from the Residential Tenancies Board – and some concerning findings. It remains clear that problems in the rental market are at the centre of the housing crisis and that key issues need to be faced.
With rents in new tenancies averaging just under €1,600 across the State and close to €2,100 in Dublin, many people remain priced out of the market. Rents in existing tenancies remain lower – by about 16 per cent on average – and have not grown as fast due to rent pressure zone rules. But they remain at levels which leave many households struggling and unable to save.
In policy terms, striking the right balance between protecting existing tenants and attracting in new landlords is not easy. But there are clearly issues here which need to be addressed, alongside the wider and ongoing imperative of continuing to increase housing supply.The trail of alleged right-wing plotters in Germany is a bizarre story of our times