The Green Party has called for reform of residential tenancies and planning legislation in the light of the ongoing occupation of properties in Dublin's North Inner City at Summerhill Parade.Local Green Party Councillor Ciarán Cuffe said:"The occupation at Summerhill Parade underpins the need to provide greater protection for residents who rent their homes. We need reforms that provide for the following: -an end to evictions for refurbishment that are actually an excuse to raise rents;-a clear definition of over-crowding in law that is meaningful and enforceable;-a requirement for planning permission for short-term rental apartments;-greater use of CPO powers by Local Authorities for housing purposes;-extension of the Vacant Sites Levy to include smaller buildings and sites;-a ban on cash-in-hand payment of rents; and -a right to occupy residential properties vacant for more than a year.Dublin Central Dáil candidate for the Green Party Neasa Hourigan said:"The time for action is now. As landlords and developers increase rents year on year for the weakest of reasons the inner city is becoming unaffordable for those on lower incomes. Families are being forced out of the city and often into homelessness. “Young people cannot find decent or secure accommodation near their workplaces. The situation is at breaking point and occupations such as the one in Summerhill will become more common place as Dubliners struggle to put a roof over their heads."ENDS