Politicians who are Landlords

Sterntrawler · 01-09-2022 10:20pm #1

Recently some politicians have been outed for not declaring their multiple properties

The usual response seems to be

I'm sorry I forgot

lol

The only reason they are sorry is because they have been caught !

Noone is ever sory until they have been caught !

These are the people who are running our country and dictating our incomes and pensions

🤬

Flinty997 · 01-09-2022 11:02pm

Vote them out then.

Sam Russell · 02-09-2022 8:33am

Many TDs are landlords (of pubs), or teachers, or lawyers of one sort or another. That accounts for the majority, I believe.

TDs who run property empires (11 properties - an empire?), or are even accidental landlords, should be very vigilant that they a) apply the regulations and b) make sure they declare their personal interests if ever the speak or lobby on property matters.

Also the RPTB should alert registered landlords that their registration needs renewing, and ask if they still own the property, still let the property, and show the transfer details if not. They should then follow up with the new owner if appropriate.

RPTB need more teeth and resources, and much heavier penalties for defaulters. An annual registration should apply.

Jim2007 · 02-09-2022 8:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058261457/politicians-who-are-landlords

So you are supporting more institutionalised politicians then. A guaranteed salary from once they get elected to when they retire and a pension to boot. Then there is the 20k to 40k it takes to get elected so factor that in as well. The result - no landlords, no business owners, no investors, teachers, lawyers, accountants etc.... just people dedicated to public service.

Well you are entitled to your opinion, but I doubt many voters would agree.

Brucie Bonus · 02-09-2022 12:34pm

No government minister should have any property dealings, especially during a housing crisis. We cannot have decision makers curating legislation that lines their pockets while making things worse for the public. At best its a blatant conflict of interest.

Flinty997 · 02-09-2022 12:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559266#Comment_119559266

Which business sectors are they not allowed to be in.

Allinall · 02-09-2022 12:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559266#Comment_119559266

Government ministers set income tax rates, which directly affects them,

They introduce legislation around climate change, motoring offences, health care issues, alcohol licensing laws etc. etc. etc.

All there are potentially conflicts of interest.

Your point about property is nonsense.

Brucie Bonus · 02-09-2022 12:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559344#Comment_119559344

I'd suggest all of them. They claim being a politician is a 24/7 job anyway. Sadly we know there are at least a few always willing to take advantage.

If you work for the lottery you can't buy a ticket, just because it could look iffy if you won. I don't see why politicians can't do similar.

handlemaster · 02-09-2022 12:58pm

Nothing stopping anybody running for election. If people don't like it do somthing about it

Brucie Bonus · 02-09-2022 12:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559383#Comment_119559383

During a crisis a minister should not be in a position to push for legislation that will enrich himself while not necessarily making the crisis any better.

Flinty997 · 02-09-2022 1:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559405#Comment_119559405

In fairness its all been populist policies that caused this. They've just given people what they asked for.

Allinall · 02-09-2022 1:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559405#Comment_119559405

So in a health crisis, the minister for health should not be in a position to push for legislation to alleviate the crisis, even if the policy doesn't work,in case they or their family benefit?

Utter nonsense.

Nody · 02-09-2022 1:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559405#Comment_119559405

Then please please do share who's the arbiter who is going to define what "make the crisis better" and while you're at it do feel free to explain what should replace the current democracy as is not good enough for your standards either (since apparently the power to vote out politicians is not enough).

Topgear on Dave · 02-09-2022 2:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559266#Comment_119559266

You will not have a TD left if you start excluding them for property interests.

Brucie Bonus · 02-09-2022 3:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560087#Comment_119560087

Maybe that explains why we are in a decade long housing crisis.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119559471#Comment_119559471

I think you're mixing me up with someone else. We simply need hard conflict of interest rules and strong penalties for anyone seen to be working for their own interests. Changing the guard will not change a thing if we don't bring in true accountability.

rock22 · 02-09-2022 3:37pm

It would be reasonable to ask the Taoiseach ( and incoming Taoiseach) not to appoint any landlord to cabinet while this housing crisis continues.

It is impossible for anyone, including landlords, to act against their own interests in government. It is clear that this housing crisis has continued this long because every reasonable suggestion to help solve it has been resisted by this and the previous government.

SO, no problem being a TD and landlord but no input into government decisions around housing

Flinty997 · 02-09-2022 3:54pm

The flaw in this logic is the Govt policies are mostly anti landlord and have been for decades.

They only favor institutional landlords. Politicians, can make it work because they have high income to weather any financial issues.

Seth Brundle · 02-09-2022 3:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058261457/politicians-who-are-landlords

There should be no bar on politicians having financial interests (we all need to make money) but the problem with what has happened recently is twofold:

politicians are legislators and should be seen to be following the legal basics required within their business interests. If they cannot follow basic legal processes then they are unfit to legislate.
politicians as legislators and rule-makers should make it abundantly clear of any conflict of interest and, where necessary, abstain should any conflict arise where they could financially benefit from the change. That the likes of Troy and Donnelly pushed for legislation and voted on matters that would directly benefit them but failed to make it clear of the personal benefit. If they do not declare their interests to SIPO then there should be a strong punishment rather than the weak procedures in place currently.

Flinty997 · 02-09-2022 4:04pm

That someone forgets to pay the PRTB registration, only hurts them. They can't use it till they pay up. The Tenant never pays anything and can always use it. Its a minor issue, at the most.

However, there is a pattern of behavior that is less than ideal. Then that should be investigated.

Seth Brundle · 02-09-2022 4:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560571#Comment_119560571

It is a minor issue but a legal requirement. Politicians should be seen to be following the legislation they bring in. Why should "regular" landlords follow the laws if politican landlords don't?

Flinty997 · 02-09-2022 4:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560597#Comment_119560597

They mostly do. But the RTB systems are archaic.

Like I said it changes nothing for the tenant.

rob316 · 02-09-2022 4:13pm

I dont have a problem with one having a couple of properties, but 11 is ridiculous.

Seth Brundle · 02-09-2022 4:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560616#Comment_119560616

I'm not at all defending the RTB. However, we can't have a transparent and trustworthy process if those making the rules are bending and breaking them whenever they can.

Flinty997 · 02-09-2022 4:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560636#Comment_119560636

How many properties did he register and how many did he not register.

Flinty997 · 02-09-2022 4:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560625#Comment_119560625

Well its certainly questionable judgement.

Brucie Bonus · 02-09-2022 7:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560650#Comment_119560650

We only found out because it was investigated.

rock22 · 03-09-2022 9:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119560514#Comment_119560514

You must live in a very different universe to most of us

No certainty of tenure for tenant, no cap on rent increases, no ban on evictions. All things the past two recent governments refused to do.

Flinty997 · 03-09-2022 9:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119563620#Comment_119563620

Where will you get properties from where you can't evict people and there is no income coming in from them, but you still have to pay all the costs, fees expenses and repairs. Why not just buy a place and leave it empty and not have all the hassle and expense.

The problem tenants have is supply. So I'm asking where will this supply come from.