The listed monthly rent in Clare increased four times higher than the national average last month, new figures have revealed.
According to new statistics released by Daft.ie, the average listed monthly rent nationwide rose by 0.5% in June, the third consecutive month of marginal gains.
The rise was largest in Leinster 1.5% but was present in all four regions covered, particularly in Clare where rent prices for a three-bed semi-detached house increased by 2% to €814.
The national property website outlined that overall rents in Clare jumped by 2.4% up to €879 in July, which was one percentage point behind County Limerick where rents jumped by 3.4% up to €925.
However, this was in sharp contrast to Limerick City where the average rent stands at €1,217 down 0.7% or in Tipperary where rent increased by 0.7% up to €858. Nationally, the average rent price is €1,412.
The biggest increase in rents in Clare was recorded for large spacious properties as a five bedroom detached dwelling now costs €1,015 up 9%.
It seems there is also a shortage of one bedroom apartments as this now costs €641 in the Banner County, up 6%.
A two bedroom terrace now costs €711 to rent in the county up 3% while the average three bedroom semi-detached costs €814 up 2%.
There was a 3% rise in the rental cost for a four bedroom bungalow, which now costs €905.
Commenting on the rent increases in Clare, Deputy Violet Anne-Wynne said she is shocked to see that the average rent prices in Clare have risen across the board.
“It will now cost you a shocking €641 on average to rent a 1 bed apartment in County Clare, up 6% on the previous year.
“This is a truly worrying trend, these prices are getting out of hand. This is just €40 behind the average rents in Limerick.
“We have seen a lot of people coming forward to my office that are presenting as homeless because they can no longer afford these rising rents.
“These hard-pressed workers and families also find themselves stuck in the middle of the systems where they cannot afford rents, but they are also are above the threshold to avail of housing supports with the Clare County Council,” she explained.
She called on the government to regulate the private housing market and to review rent caps for those who need local authority housing supports.
Assistant Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin, Ronan Lyons stated Covid-19 is allowing people to move away from urban centres because of the ability to work from home.
Dan Danaher
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.