Council considering motion to regulate rental costs

Derry City and Strabane District Council is set to consider a motion to give it the ability to regulate rental costs.

The motion is being brought by councillors Shaun Harkin and Maeve O'Neill (People Before Profit).

The party is proposing the motion as a result of what it described as "the absence of a functioning Stormont Assembly because of the DUP's reckless boycott and the failure of the previous Executive to put in place cost of living crisis rental controls".

They are calling the Secretary of State legislate to give Council's ability to regulate rental costs

Cllrs Shaun Harkin and Maeve O'Neill said: "There are many conscientious landlords but some are threatening tenants with eviction if they can't afford rent increases. 

"Rental costs have skyrocketed during the cost of living crisis, by up to 10% over the last year. Massive mortgage rates hikes and Council rates hikes will mean even higher rental costs for many people struggling to make ends meet. 

"Housing waiting lists have given many families and individuals no option but to privately rent. Shamefully the main parties have left families with no protection from skyrocketing private rental costs. The Private Tenancies Act authored by the former Sinn Féin Department for Communities Minister and backed by the SDLP, DUP, Alliance and UUP refused to take action on rental controls and cost of living crisis rent freezes. 

"Bristol City Council voted to demand the power to regulate private rental costs. In the absence of a functioning Stormont government because of the reckless DUP boycott, Derry and Strabane District Council should demand the Secretary of State legislate for Council's to have this power too. The cost of living crisis has devastated people in all communities. We will continue to demand unprecedented action to ease the hardship crisis."