Cabinet Today Debates New Laws Banning Landlords From Charging Large Up-Front Sums.

Wednesday, 9 June 2021 09:24

The bill will also extend the emergency ban on evictions

Cabinet Ministers will discuss new laws to ban landlords from charging large upfront payments to secure accommodation.

The bill will also give students the option to pay for campus accommodation in monthly installments rather than lump sums.

Our Political Correspondent Seán Defoe reports:

"Ministers will consider a number of housing proposals this morning.

A rent protection bill will ban landlords asking for more than a deposit and a maximum of two months' rent in advance when taking on tenants.

It will also mean those paying for student specific accommodation won't have to pay large lump sums at the start of a semester if they choose not to, but will be able to pay monthly instead.

The bill will also extend the emergency ban on evictions and rent increases for people experiencing COVID related difficuties.

The protections are being extended until December for those who make a declaration that they are financially hit by COVID or in arrears as a result of virus-related problems.

A separate bill will allow City and County Councils to extend the life of their existing development plans or granted planning permissions by 12 months.

It's also understood Tánaiste Leo Varadkar will seek cabinet approval today for legislation to give all workers the right to paid sick leave.

Around half of employers don't provide sick pay, and the minimum standard scheme is expected to be phased in over three or four years from 2022 on. "