Landlords ‘won’t stand by’ as eviction ban extended – The Irish Times

The body, which represents private rental property owners, has said it will “not stand by” if the government decides to extend the current eviction ban or introduce other measures it believes violate the rights of its members.

The Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA), which has again called for the abandonment of the current eviction ban and rent pressure zones (RPZs) system, said the government’s creation of “any further injustice” would result in it “exploring all avenues”. Remedies to Protect Our Position”.

IPOA Chair Mary Conway responded to reports that the coalition was considering expanding the current eviction ban to include additional exemptions for landlords.

It is understood that three options will be explored: first, allow the ban on evictions to expire at the end of March; second, extend the current ban, with possible exemptions for landlords who wish to move back into the property or allow their children to do so; and third, introduce a recurring ban on winter clearance.

Asked about the proposals, Ms Conway said the IPOA “has consistently expressed serious reservations about the constitutionality of imposing the ban and we have highlighted this on numerous occasions with senior politicians over the past few years”.

“The continued erosion of the legal rights of IPOA members is a situation that we will not stand idly by. Creating more injustices will lead us to explore all avenues of redress to protect our position,” she said.

She said the IPOA’s position remains that both the ban and the system of RPZs should be scrapped, arguing that the government’s actions in the case of the ban on evictions proved counterproductive.

Instead, she said, “it is crucial that the government puts in place an appropriate policy response aimed at improving supply by incentivizing landlords, and mainstream adoption of measures to support supply is key.”

The IPOA previously threatened to take legal action against the eviction ban before it was implemented on October 30.

Jim O’Callaghan, Fianna Fáil’s justice spokesman, said in a speech on RTÉ Radio 1 that an eviction ban is a “complex matter” and must take into account the rights of both owners and tenants.

“If you look at the eviction bans that were put in place during Covid and last winter, I think they were deserved and clearly constitutional. However, if there is a permanent ban on evictions, that is unconstitutional,” he said.

“Clearly the government needs to weigh any measures it takes to ensure they reflect all the rights of the people involved and if there is a challenge and if the eviction ban is extended the government needs to ensure the rights of the property owners apply received some recognition in this legislation.”

Meanwhile, bus operator Go-Ahead has raised concerns that housing is a “major obstacle” for drivers from other countries, and the Department for Transport said this has led to some returning to their home country.

The department contacted the bus company last year about plans for non-EU bus drivers to be allowed to work in the state to help solve hiring problems in the industry.

In correspondence released to the Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act last November, Go-Ahead Ireland told the department: “We’ve tried this approach of including people from other EU countries and accommodation has been a huge obstacle , which meant that people gave up and left to go back to their homeland.

“We have closer challenges with the driver education process and perhaps a focus could be placed on the RSA [Road Safety Authority] by helping them get those things off the ground.”

In mid-December, the Ministry for Enterprise set a quota of 1,500 work permits for bus drivers from non-EU countries. To date, 18 bus and coach permits have been granted, while one permit has been denied and another withdrawn, it said.

A Go-Ahead Ireland spokeswoman said it was “not currently looking at the option of non-EU drivers as there has been a significant improvement in recruitment and training and retention rates in recent months”.