LANDLORDS SLAPPED DOWN FOLLOWING KELLY COMPLAINT
Labour spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Alan Kelly TD, has welcomed the findings of an investigation by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission into the potential anti-competitive conduct by the Irish Property Owners Association.
The investigation was launched following a complaint by Deputy Kelly to the CCPC back in December.
The CCPC has made a number of recommendations, including that the IPOA:
- “To remind, in writing, members of the IPOA that the setting of rents and charges in the private rental sector are matters for individual landlords and their tenants”, and
- “Not to issue recommendations or suggestions to, or otherwise seek to influence decisions of, members of the IPOA or other landlords in the private rental sector with respect to the setting of rents and charges and terms and/or withdrawal from State-sponsored rental schemes and/or any recommendations that have similar effect”
Welcoming today’s decision Deputy Kelly said
“This is a very important and significant ruling for tenants all over the country.
“I first called on the CCPC to open an investigation into the IPOA following the group’s highly publicised threats to have landlords impose a range of levies, charges and other measures.
“We cannot have a situation where a so called representative association can threaten to engage in criminal activity that has been outlawed by the Oireachtas under the Competition Acts.
“I hope the decision taken by the CPPC on the back of my complaint will put residents all over the country at ease.”