Average Meath rent is now €1,202

The average Meath rent is now €1,202, nearly double what it was ten years ago.

The recently released Rental Tenancy Board figures for the second quarter of 2020, showing that the national average for rent is now at €1,226 per month, with Meath showing an average of €1,202 per month compared to Westmeath who are averaging €802 per month.

Deputy Johnny Guirke said a cap on rents is needed in Meath, as rents have nearly doubled here in the past decade.

“Ten years ago, the average rent in Meath West was at a different level compared to today’s figures. For example, rent in Meath was €678 per month compared to Westmeath at €534 per month. Forward on to present day figures and it becomes frightening as Meath’s average has nearly doubled to €1,202 while Westmeath has risen to €802.

“It is getting harder to own a home, let alone pay high rent on houses in parts of my constituency, the average rent in Navan is €1,107, Trim is €1,188, while Mullingar is €804.

“People's lives have changed dramatically since the turn of the year, some have lost jobs, some have been made part time and some don’t know if they will have still have a job at the end of the year.”

He said it is becoming increasingly hard for families to survive as we are still living in an economic crisis, with the cost of living rising since Covid while wages have remained the same.

“The national average rent in 2016 was €964 but this figure has risen to €1,226 now and unfortunately it doesn’t look like it will stop rising,” he said.