Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Conor McGuinness, has warned that the Government’s proposed “Rent Hike Bill” will result in rent increases of more than one‑third for renters across Waterford city and county.

Speaking after the legislation was brought forward by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, Deputy McGuinness said the new measures would allow large landlords and investment funds to significantly raise rents for an estimated 60,000 tenants nationwide. He described the move as a “shafting” of renters already struggling with unaffordable housing costs.

According to McGuinness, the changes—due to take effect from March 1st—will permit landlords to reset rents to full market rates for new tenancies and again every six years.
He argued that this represents “the most profound change to rent regulation in a decade.”

He then went on to say that the change “Significantly reduced protections for all kinds of renters across Waterford.”

Projected Increases for Waterford

Under the bill, average rents in Waterford County could rise by 33.7%, bringing the typical monthly rent to €1,317. In Waterford City, the increase is forecast to be even higher at 35.6%, raising the average rent to €1,355.

Across the county, renters could face annual increases averaging more than €4,000.

McGuinness said these hikes would place an unbearable burden on households already stretched by the housing crisis:
“Government should be focused on bringing rents down, not caving in to the demands of vulture funds and big landlords for ever higher rents.”

Sinn Féin to Oppose Legislation

The Waterford TD confirmed that Sinn Féin will oppose the bill “tooth and nail”, reiterating the party’s call for a ban on rent increases and stronger measures to improve affordability.

“Rents in Waterford are already too high, and renters simply cannot take further hikes,” he said, urging the public to reject what he described as “a truly scandalous” policy shift.

McGuinness concluded with a renewed appeal:
“We need to end the rip-off, ban rent increases, and make rents affordable. Stop Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael’s Rent Hike Bill.”

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