Sir, – Dr Lorcan Sirr (Letters, November 6th) states the obvious in noting that rent control benefits those in rent control, and disparages the experts.
He does not address any of the points made by Newton Emerson (Opinion, November 4th) but describes him as "surprisingly ill-informed and as populist as any left wing offering".
Sirr might respond to the following: First, rent control creates a two-tier system which benefits those who enjoy it to the detriment of those that do not. Second, it creates a black market with unofficial sublets outside the reach of the regulatory regime (in Ireland the PRA) in which tenants are reluctant to complain about sub-standard accommodation and are open to exploitation.
Third, it leads to private landlords exiting the market with consequences for quantity, type and location of available rental property. Fourth, if rent control distorts the market to the extent that there is no return on investment in building residential units, supply shrinks and the problem is exacerbated.
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Finally, landlords have no incentive to improve, repair or maintain, leading to dilapidation and ultimately dereliction.
As Emerson says, the longer rent controls continue the more these issues are exacerbated. If advocating for a system which is fairer to all and protects tenants from sub-standard accommodation is left wing, then I march shoulder to shoulder with Comrade Emerson, – Yours, etc,
PADDY SWEETMAN,
Park, Co Wexford.