The association that represents landlords in Ireland has called for the Government to scrap the planned ban on rented bedsits.

Tthe previous government announced plans in 2008 to ban the traditional rented bedsit.

One-room units were to be phased out by new regulations insisting that rental units should have their own sanitary facilities.

The Irish Property Owner's Association says that in 2013 landlords will have to comply with the legislation and close down or renovate this type of accommodation.

They say the economy means that many of them will be unable to secure loans to renovate the property.

If bedsits are banned, they say, homelessness will increase as a result.