Greens seek review of rent law

The Green Party has said it would legislate against upward only rent reviews if it is returned to government.

Launching its policy proposals to help small businesses, the party said it would also seek to reduce commercial rates, extend schemes to encourage businesses to take on extra employees and amend bankruptcy laws.

Green Party enterprise spokesperson Mark Dearey said economic recovery was dependent on small and medium enterprises which should be helped through the recession using “legislation, incentives and support schemes”.

Senator Dearey, who owns the Spirit Store pub and music venue in Dundalk, said as a businessman he was aware many enterprises were struggling under expensive leases, a legacy from the boom.

“We will legislate to ensure business owners can negotiate lower rents under existing leases, which so far, are not covered by the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act. We will also establish a public database which profiles letting agreements and rent reviews in the market”, he said.

By taking action to reduce commercial rates and introducing “fair and equitable domestic water and property charges”, the party said it could reduce commercial rates “and free up valuable liquidity”.

The party said it would also extend the Employer Job Incentive Scheme beyond the 128,000 business currently covered.

Another aspect of the plan would be to give subcontractors certainty of payment and of timing.

With regard to bankruptcy, the party said 12 years was too long to be declared a bankrupt.

It said this time frame “does not allow entrepreneurs to get back on their feet and start again”. In government it would seek to amend this in line with bankruptcy law in the UK, where the period is one year.