Calls for review of Greystones rent cap status
DEPARTMENT DID NOT DETERMINE GREYSTONES AS ‘PRESSURE ZONE’
TENANTS in Greystones are being hit with high rent costs due to discrepancies in how the Department of Health identifies rent pressure zones, Social Democrats councillor Jennifer Whitmore has said.
In areas defined as ‘pressure zones’, rent cannot be increased by more than four per cent per year for three years.
Cllr Whitmore said a report published last week by Daft.ie has ‘again shown that rents in the area are spiralling out of control, with a 12 per cent increase in rents in the Greystones area, whilst county Wicklow sees an average of 11 per cent.
‘According to data that I have received from Daft.ie, this is the fourth quarter in a row that has seen a 10 per cent or above increase in rents in the Greystones area, yet the Department’s figures are not reflecting that reality for renters.’
She said that the data used by the Department to identify areas to come under rent caps showed a 3.9 per cent decrease in rents in the second quarter of 2016.
‘I find it very difficult to believe that there has been any reduction in rents over the past three or four years in north Wicklow. I have raised it repeatedly with the Minister that I believe that the figure is incorrect. In fact, corresponding Daft. ie data shows a six per cent increase in rents in the area for that quarter. This anomaly meant that the Greystones district missed out on being included in rent pressures zones and I ask that the Minister review this data immediately to determine why there are such discrepancies.’
She said that the four per cent cap should be applied to Greystones immediately.
‘It is simply not good enough that renters are going to be forced away from their home places, communities where their children go to schools, and their support networks because of spiralling rent costs,’ she said. THE annual ‘Burger Bash’ is back! From 5 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, August 31), the burgers will be flipping over smoking hot coals and DJs spinning down on the seafront.
The event is hosted by Box Burger and their mixologists will be shaking up burger inspired cocktails and serving cold beers, including Wicklow Wolf Brewing’s single hop ale Born in Bray, to wash down the tastiest burgers including Box Burger favourites and the monthly Burger Panel winners, the PJB and the Load of Waffle.
Seeing off the last days of summer, Burger Bash ’17 promises to be fun for young and old, family and friends.
The evening will be jampacked with games and taste tests (including The Hottest Burger Challenge – not for the faint hearted), prizes for the person crowned Champion Pickle Eater and some freebies thrown in.
The weather won’t matter thanks to Box Burger’s covered outdoor area.
There is need for patrons to book, they can just show up from 5 p.m.