A Dublin property manager has defended scenes that saw a huge queue outside a Drumcondra property yesterday evening.
The stark reality of the renting crisis in Dublin was laid bare yesterday as “easily 100” people attended a house viewing.
Last night, Michael Carr, Property Manager at New Ireland Lettings hosted the viewing. He told Dublin Live: “What has been reported online is factually true. I was doing my job. I completely didn’t do that to upset anyone, in fact, I got a lot of commendation on what I did last night from a lot of people in the queue.
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“I can understand the hurt and pain at the moment. I don’t set out to win any popularity contest, I certainly try my best for my client. I’m glad to help and offer them my advice based on my great experience as an agent and property manager for my own company.
“I’m glad I inherited very good personal skills and I’m glad to meet people in a queue. I know people may say it’s not ideal but it was not to seek profit or anymore that was asked of the rent, it’s a reflection on what’s happening.”
Michael said he received a number of emails commending him on the work he did at the North Dublin home yesterday and explained that people were thankful for his assistance.
“A lot of people told me this morning that I conducted that queue in a very professional manner,” he added. “I don’t need to be told that because I always honour my badge. Some people sent me an email saying that they were very thankful for the viewing."
He believes that “the number one issue is the unfair tax treatment of the landlords”. He continued: “The minister needs to hear that from everybody, not just from agencies and landlords. We need to encourage more landlords to enter the market. People may say it’s very rewarding for the landlords to charge the rents but we’ve had rent control in place.
“I would like to think that something good comes out of this. I did not do that to make myself stand on a pedestal.
“To me, everyone deserves a home, no matter if they’re a student, working in Google or working in a sweet shop. I hope everyone gets around the table and we sort it out once and for all. With good guidance and a structure in place we can get there and all live happily ever after.”
Ben O’Donnell, who currently lives in Stoneybatter, was one of those people who attended the viewing yesterday. He got a text around midday yesterday to attend at 8:30pm in the evening - and he was “baffled” when he arrived.
He told Dublin Live: “I turned up early, I arrived early at about 7:30pm so I went to the shop and when I came back at 8:00pm, the queue, I was baffled. There were easily 100 people there.
“There was a mix of people, students, people in their mid-20's, young professionals, people in their 30's just standing in line. I think it was disrespectful of the landlord to ask so many people. It was disrespectful of people's time, especially when there’s only one person getting it.”
He added: “You go to college, graduate and you think you’ll get a decent job, get sorted and put a roof over your head but I can’t even manage that. It is quite depressing.”
“I have notifications on my phone, on my work computer - I’ve programmed them to flash up on the screen every time there’s one. I’ve probably been to about 30 viewings already. It’s like concert tickets coming out, it’s ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Clare Connolly, MD of Clare Connolly Estate Agents in Dundrum, who specialises in letting and selling property, primarily in Dublin’s Southside, says that she has never seen anything like this in her career.
She told Dublin Live: "In my career I haven't seen a frenetic rental market. There’s such a sense of desperation for the small number of properties that are available.
“You’ve students looking for properties, you’ve corporates coming in from outside the country and you’ve refugees looking for accommodation. It’s just so difficult for any tenant out there. My heart goes out to them because it’s quite stressful for agents as well because I never received so many emails or calls begging for help.
“There’s such a short supply out there. You can’t help but empathise. If we put up a property to rent, we get a huge number of inquiries. We’ve to take the advertisement down after about 30 minutes, it’s the fairest way to do it in this market.”
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