February 2025
Dr. Michael Byrne is a lecturer in Political Economy at the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. His work is focused on urban political economy, in particular the relationship between the financial system and housing, as well as the politics of housing and urban activism.
Tell me about the research you are working on?
I’m finishing a book on ‘Beyond Generation Rent? Political economy, inequality and the private rental sector’. The book aims to try and develop a political economy perspective for the analysis of the private rental sector (PRS) that is both comprehensive and critical, covering issues of power, inequality, financialization and tenant politics.
Why is this research important?
Many countries have seen declining home ownership and growth in the PRS over recent decades. This has important political economy dimensions because: (a) the relationship between landlord and tenant often involves a power imbalance; (b) a growing PRS necessarily means a concentration of property ownership, either in the hands of a smaller number of households, or with institutions (or both); (c) housing and property ownership is related to both income and wealth inequality.
Have you come across any challenges in carrying out this research?
Much of the research on tenants' experiences relates to English-speaking countries. It is much harder to get a handle on the experiences of tenants beyond that. As a qualitative perspective is a big part of my approach, it was hard to know to what extent my arguments relate to the PRS internationally, or just the English-speaking world.
How can this research be used to influence housing policy or practice?
We need to think more broadly about the impact of a growing PRS, taking into account not just issues like affordability, supply and security, but also inequality and the distribution of property ownership.
What is an interesting piece of housing research you have read recently? Irish or international.
I loved this comparative study of housing affordability published by the ESRI - Housing affordability: Ireland in a cross-country context | ESRI I've also recently read two interesting books with a radical take on the politics of the PRS. Nick Bano's Against Landlords and Abolish Rent by Tracy Rosenthal.
Further links: