Dublin City Council paid rent increases to 64 private landlords for social housing in 2017 that were above the 4 per cent cap for so-called rent pressure zones. The monthly rent paid to private landlords by the council for RAS tenancies increased from €1,353 a month in 2016 to €1,494 a month in 2017, a rise of 10.4 per cent. Under the scheme, local authorities arrange with landlords to provide housing for people on social housing waiting lists and the council pays the rent directly to the landlords on behalf of the tenants. These contacts were made before the rent pressure zone cap came into effect, the council said, and this meant it had to honour rent increases to 64 landlords that were above the 4 per cent. The council said that the under long-term leasing arrangements, involving 10- to 20-year tenancies, landlords are exempt from the rent increase limits introduced in rent pressure zones.

Source: The Irish Times February 13, 2018 01:18 UTC