Improving standards will make accommodation unaffordable

ENSURING lodging houses are of a high standard while also offering low rents is a 'catch- 22' situation, the Health and Social Services minister has said.

Deputy Hunter Adam said the problem with cheap private accommodation was that if landlords greatly improved standards, rents would increase and residents would not be able to afford them.

But he said landlords should be obliged to maintain a basic level of quality.

'There is a poor standard in a small percentage of low-cost rental accommodation,' Deputy Adam said.

'The problem is that if you improve the standard of these places, rent will go up.

'It's a catch-22 situation. I'm not sure what can be done.'