The government has introduced a bill on limiting rent increases, for both residential and commercial rents. The bill marks a turning point in regulating Iceland's rental market, which has been in complete disarray due to excessive increases and insecurity for renters. Efling has long fought for the introduction of a rent brake. Efling's board submitted a detailed proposal to the government last spring regarding a rent brake and this new bill largely meets Efling's proposals. The main provisions added in the bill are as follows: Monthly rent increases are prohibited. At least 12 months must pass between increases, and they must be stipulated in the rental agreement. Annual increases may not exceed the rise in the price index (Icel.: verðlagsvísitala). Residential rents in Iceland have risen far faster than general price levels over the last 10-15 years, so this limits one of the biggest drivers of inflation. Benchmarks are set for how much rents can increase both at the start and renewal of rental agreements, and multiple price increases at the same time are prohibited. Reference figures for market rents, by type of housing and location, will be published regularly and will serve as benchmarks in rent negotiations. Renters' security and consumer protections will be strengthened. Efling would have liked to go even further, for example by tying the cap on annual rent increases to a price index that excludes the housing component as this would slow inflation more. The bill instead uses the general consumer price index. Despite this, the cap on annual rent increases will be very important as rents have risen much faster than general price levels over the last 10-15 years. The bill significantly improves renters' circumstances, and also restrains the rent prices that have been an important factor in fueling inflation in Iceland in recent years. It is important that the bill be processed quickly and is implemented as soon as possible.
The Food and Culture festival took place at Efling’s community centre on Sunday, September 27, for the fourth time. Efling members invited guests to discover the food traditions of their home countries. A wide variety of dishes prepared by members gave guests the chance to travel around the world through food. These included Filipino-style whole roast pig, Vietnamese spring rolls, Honduran seafood soup and many other dishes. The festival was well attended, with a lively and welcoming atmosphere as Efling members, their families and guests came together to taste food from different countries and learn about the cultures represented within Efling. Efling was honoured to welcome the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, and her husband, Björn Skúlason. Food and Culture celebrates the rich diversity of Efling’s membership, and their visit was a valuable opportunity for members to share their cultures, traditions and cuisine with the presidential couple.
Hátíðin Matur og menning fór fram í félagsheimili Eflingar sunnudaginn 27. september í fjórða sinn, þar sem félagsfólk Eflingar bauð gestum að kynnast matarmenningu frá sínum upprunalöndum. Á boðstólum var fjölbreytt úrval rétta sem félagsfólk hafði útbúið og gestir fengu tækifæri til að ferðast um heiminn með bragðlaukunum. Þar má meðal annars nefna heilsteikt svín að filippseyskum hætti, vorrúllur frá Víetnam, sjávarréttasúpu frá Hondúras, auk fjölmargra annarra rétta. Hátíðin var vel sótt og skapaðist lífleg og ánægjuleg stemning þegar Eflingarfélagar og fjölskyldur þeirra og gestir komu saman til smakka mat frá ólíkum löndum og kynnast menningu félagsfólks Eflingar.. Það var Eflingu mikill heiður að taka á móti frábærum gestum, forseta Íslands, frú Höllu Tómasdóttur, og eiginmanni hennar, Birni Skúlasyni. Matur og menning er hátíð sem fagnar þeim mikla fjölbreytileika sem einkennir félagsmannahóp Eflingar og það var dýrmætt tækifæri fyrir Eflingu að fá að kynna menningu, hefðir og matagerð félagsfólks fyrir forsetahjónunum.
