Ires Reit Declines Oireachtas Invitation to Discuss Controversial Tenant Fees
Ireland's largest landlord, Ires Reit, declined an Oireachtas Housing Committee invitation to discuss controversial common area fees, citing a busy summer. Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin accused the company of evading scrutiny. Ires Reit had charged tenants €1,800-2,500 annually before dropping the fees and issuing refunds after a court ruling.
Ires Reit, Ireland's largest landlord, has declined an invitation from the Oireachtas Housing Committee to answer questions regarding controversial extra fees charged to renters for common area use. Senior management cited an «exceptionally busy» summer schedule, including preparations for interim results in early August and significant travel commitments, as reasons for their unavailability.
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin criticized Ires Reit's refusal, alleging the company is trying to «evade scrutiny» from TDs. The fees, first reported by The Journal last year, amounted to €1,800-2,500 annually for new tenants, with Ó Broin noting inconsistencies in charges across tenants. Ires Reit, which manages up to 3,700 apartments in Dublin and reported €85 million in revenue in 2024, eventually dropped the charges following an unrelated court ruling and refunded tenants in 56 apartments.
Ó Broin also wants Ires Reit to address its operations since new rental legislation took effect in March. He expressed concern that the company might be «testing the water» on new tenancy rules, particularly regarding allegations from multiple tenants that Ires Reit no longer allows new tenants to be added to leases, forcing existing tenants to pay more or face new leases with potential rent increases. Ires Reit has previously denied wrongdoing, stating its common area charges were legally compliant and transparently broken down in leases, and that it always acted in accordance with regulations regarding flatmate changes.