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Property rents to go in NI

20 May 2005

Sinn Fein is calling on the abolition of ground rents as they see it as "a hangover from the days of British colonial rule in Ireland."

The party's housing spokesperson, Arthur Morgan wants to see the "ongoing injustice" of the rents removed from society.

Speaking on the Landlord and Tenants (Ground Rents) Bill he said that Sinn Fein has reiterated the call for their abolition on "many occasions" but action has still not been taken.

Speaking in the Dail he said: "Ground rents represent an ongoing injustice against the people of this state and are a feudal tax, a hangover from the days of British colonial rule in Ireland, and their abolition must be facilitated."

He further explained: "Householders whose leases are about to expire are placed in an unacceptable position whereby they are forced to choose between buying a freehold on their house for one eighth of its value or signing a new lease for a drastically increased rent."

Mr Morgan also pointed out: "Ground rent landlords do not need to be compensated in the event of their abolition."

As far as Mr Morgan is concerned ground rents have been unjust from the start, and therefore, to compensate would "legitimise what is manifestly unjust".

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