Paul Murphy: Demands emergency law to halt no-fault evictions
Paul Murphy addressed the Taoiseach about planned evictions in Applewood in Swords and urged emergency legislation to close a legal loophole allowing no-fault evictions under Part 4 tenancies. He said the corporate landlord LRC issued 100 notices of termination between October 2022 and April 2024 and described the impact on tenants as horrific.
Murphy highlighted that Part 4 tenancies created before 11 June 2022 allow landlords to evict tenants without reason at the end of a tenancy. He said LRC is refusing to offer further Part 4 tenancies and called this a tried and tested tactic by LRC.
He quoted tenants describing severe distress, including one who said the stress is constant, had a double hip replacement and was not in a position to move. Murphy said the effect on residents in Applewood is horrific and emphasised the personal cost of these evictions.
Murphy urged the Taoiseach to introduce emergency legislation to close the loophole and stop no-reason evictions. He argued that tenants are being abandoned by this Government and called for immediate action to protect renters.
The Taoiseach rejected the claim that renters are being ignored, noting that a series of protections and regulatory measures have been brought in over recent years and that protecting renters remains a high priority. He declined to commit to emergency legislation without details, requested particulars of the case, and said he would engage with the Minister for Housing to see what action could be taken to help the tenants.
Legal loophole enabling no-fault evictions
Murphy highlighted that Part 4 tenancies created before 11 June 2022 allow landlords to evict tenants without reason at the end of a tenancy. He said LRC is refusing to offer further Part 4 tenancies and called this a tried and tested tactic by LRC.
Human impact on tenants
He quoted tenants describing severe distress, including one who said the stress is constant, had a double hip replacement and was not in a position to move. Murphy said the effect on residents in Applewood is horrific and emphasised the personal cost of these evictions.
Call for emergency legislation
Murphy urged the Taoiseach to introduce emergency legislation to close the loophole and stop no-reason evictions. He argued that tenants are being abandoned by this Government and called for immediate action to protect renters.
Government response
The Taoiseach rejected the claim that renters are being ignored, noting that a series of protections and regulatory measures have been brought in over recent years and that protecting renters remains a high priority. He declined to commit to emergency legislation without details, requested particulars of the case, and said he would engage with the Minister for Housing to see what action could be taken to help the tenants.
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Transcript
Taoiseach, residents in Applewood in Swords are facing eviction by their corporate landlord, LRC. There is no good reason for these evictions. These are no-fault evictions. LRC is refusing to offer further Part 4 tenancies, a legal loophole which allows landlords to evict tenants without reason at the end of a tenancy if it was created before 11 June 2022. This is a tried and tested tactic by LRC. They have issued 100 notices of termination on this grounds between October 2022 and April 2024 and the impact on the tenants is horrific. I quote, one, the stress is constant. I have had a double hip replacement. I am not in a position to move. It feels hopeless. Tenants are being abandoned by this Government. Taoiseach, will the Government introduce emergency legislation to close the loophole, to stop evictions for no reason. First of all, renters are not being ignored by this Government. That is just a false statement. Over the last number of years, we have brought in a series of protections, regulatory and otherwise, to protect tenants and give greater security. We have always continued to keep protecting renters as a high priority of Government. I cannot commit to emergency legislation on the blind. If you can send me the details of the particular case in the State, I will engage with the Minister for Housing in respect of it and see what action can be taken to help the tenants in that situation. Thank you.