Yes, that’s right there are yet more changes on the way for landlords. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2018 is currently going through the Dail.
A summary of the key elements of the bill is below:
- Providing powers to the RTB to investigate and sanction landlords who engage in improper conduct including non-compliance with the rent increase restriction in RPZs;
- A sanction could cost a landlord in breach up to €30,000 and a written caution (a financial penalty of up to €15,000; payment of RTB investigation costs of up to €15,000).
- Making it a criminal offence for landlords to implement rent increases that contravene the law, that do not adhere to new definitions of a substantial change, failure to cooperate with an investigation, failure to register and update tenancies with the RTB.
- The RTB will have the power to initiate an investigation without the need for a complaint to be made;
- A move to annual registration of tenancies with the RTB and an annual fee
- Allowing the publication of RTB determinations in respect of any dispute;
- Providing a legal definition of ‘substantial change in the nature of accommodation provided under tenancy’ in the context of qualifying for an exemption from the rent increase restriction.
- An amendment to allow the RTB to publish rental amounts in its register. This proposed amendment is receiving due diligence by the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that any measure to be introduced will be legally sound. Enhanced rent transparency is a key goal.
- Significantly extending the notice periods for tenancy terminations by landlords:
The changes are not yet law but are expected to be in the near future..
more to follow
