Sir, – Economist Jim Power's claim that "rent controls have backfired and worsened crisis" made for interesting if unsurprising reading (Cantillon, Business, May 19th).
For several years, landlords have been exiting the rental market in alarming numbers due to strangling legislation and exorbitant taxation. Rules introduced to supposedly benefit renters have left them with few choices and extortionate rents.
Ten years ago, in my hometown there were over 100 rental properties advertised on the leading property portal. Today there is one, a two-bedroom apartment priced at over €2,000 per month.
Rent pressure zones have not worked. It is now time to dispense with this legislation so that the havoc it has created can be eliminated.
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I hope it is not too late. – Yours, etc,
NEVILLE SCARGILL,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.