Excessive regulation and rental markets

Sir, – The economist Assar Lindbeck demonstrated the destructive nature of excessive regulation on rental markets. Ample evidence exists from throughout the world that rent controls, eviction bans and other excessive regulations will reduce supply in the market, thereby driving up long-term price pressures and homelessness. This easily understood point is now indisputably proven in Ireland where the volume of landlord exits has grown to frenzied proportions. It was a trickle five years ago; but the dam has well and truly burst now as thousands upon thousands rush to get out of the market, exacerbated by the possibility of Sinn Féin, People Before Profit and other leftists being in government after the next election with stated plans to further restrict property rights. Allowing socialist lobbyists to influence rental market legislation, rather than experienced property economists, is self-destructive.

Only a significant policy reversal by our present Government will ease the departure of private landlords. – Yours, etc,

MARK MOHAN,

Castleknock,