Private rental regulation
Deputy Eoin Ó Broin raised the regulation of private rentals, highlighting the mismatch between Airbnb listings and available rental homes in Dublin and warning about landlord abuse. The Taoiseach said he would have to come back with details of any work being prepared on the Bill.
The programme for Government commits to reviewing the regulation of the private rental sector. We all know that a chronic lack of supply is pushing up rents and forcing families into homelessness.
This week, however, almost 8,000 properties are advertised on Airbnb in Dublin but only 1,200 properties are available to rent on daft.ie in the city. Airbnb is a good idea, which we support, but many of us are concerned that some landlords are abusing the service. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is currently asking the industry to self-regulate and, as we all know from our recent history, self-regulation is not the answer when it comes to property or rents. When will the Government finally legislate to close down the Airbnb loophole?
