Government must ban rent increases as rents continue to spiral across Sligo and Leitrim – Martin Kenny TD

Sinn Féin TD for Sligo Leitrim Martin Kenny has called on Government to ban rent increases in the private rental sector, as rents continue to spiral upwards across Sligo and Leitrim.  His comments follow the publication of the latest Daft.ie rent report, which shows rents rising again over the last twelve months right across the northwest.   

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said, “Yesterdays Daft.ie report shows rents continuing to spiral upwards.

“New rents in Sligo have risen by over 10% over the last twelve months, with the average new rental cost now at a staggering €1,217.  Rents in Leitrim have risen by nearly almost 13% in the same twelve month period, where rent now stands at an average of €1,023.

“This is totally unaffordable for people on ordinary incomes in the northwest.

“Renters in the northwest  desperately need a break. It is time for Government to take up Sinn Féin's 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 across Sligo and Leitrim are suffering under the housing crisis can't keep waiting for this out of touch government to act.

“The longer Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil stay 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.”