The Environment Minister Alan Kelly says the government is looking at ways of stopping banks from evicting tenants in buy-to-let properties.

It is reported new laws could be put forward preventing banks and receivers from evicting people from buy-to-let properties if they have nowhere else to go.

The legislation would impose a 'duty of care' on them with regard to tenants in buildings in the sector that are subject to repossession orders.

So with that in mind, we want to know, do landlords have a duty of care to their tenants?

 

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Barrister and co-founder of New Beginning, Ross Maguire, wants to know who would decide whether someone can move to another home.

"It's a remarkable piece of legislation if it's accurate - what it's saying is - or what the Irish Times are reporting - is that the receiver would have to look at...the tenant and say 'I'm not going to put that tenant out unless I'm satisfied the tenant has alternative accommodation'" he said.

"Who decides that and what does that mean? I think the devil is in the detail in this legislation" he added.

The 26 circuit courts around the country are said to be dealing with a soaring number of repossession orders relating to buy-to let properties.

In the first half of the year, almost 300 repossession orders were granted on buy to let properties - compared to less than 50 in the same period last year.

Minister Kelly says they want to ensure the banks take greater moral responsibility for tenants in difficult situations.

Housing charity Threshold says tenants currently have a right to between 28 and 112 days notice of eviction - but when a bank or receiver has been involved in the past, sometimes they have got just a few days to get out.

And in extreme cases, the charity says some tenants have come home to find their locks changed.

Mr Maguire told Newstalk Breakfast short leases can be part of the problem.