The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) has recommended the Government consider further action to improve the tax treatment of landlords.
In a report published today, the think tank says tax breaks should be to tied to improved security of tenure for tenants.
It also recommends that efforts to bring vacant properties back into use should be 'stepped up' and offers the best way to alleviate the rental crisis in the short term.
The report says more staff should be employed by local authorities to offer advice and assistance to people availing of the Repair and Leasing Scheme.
It also says consideration should be given to "require" owners of vacant properties to make them available for rent, which the NESC says is the case in Denmark.
The NESC report also suggests that over the medium term, something like the National Car Testing system could be set up for rental properties to ensure they meet minimum standards.
It also says the provisions under the Housing for All Plan to change BER energy standards for rental properties should be introduced in a way that doesn’t reduce the supply of properties.
"There needs to be a step-change in the efforts to grow the alternative ‘non-market rental’ sector," said Noel Cahill, economist with the NESC.
"This includes cost-rental which is being developed in Ireland. In addition, there is also potential to develop other alternatives to outright ownership."
"This includes owner-occupied housing on leased public land and on land owned by community land trusts. These can help shift the discussion away from a binary discussion of private rental versus ownership."
