COMMERCIAL landlords are taking an estimated 10 court actions a week to impose rent increases on tenants who can't afford to pay, it has been claimed.

Solicitor Damien Cassidy, who advises Dublin retailers, says as many as half of the capital's traders would give up their leases if they could due to spiralling rents.

"From my own experience with people who have come to me for advice, nearly half the traders in Dublin would get out of Dublin if they could," he said.

"I know certain clients who have negotiated with their tenants, sat down with them, looked at their books and said: 'Look you can't afford this so we will lower your rent.' But it's unusual for them to be that pragmatic. Most will not volunteer a reduction in rents."

According to Cassidy, 10 applications a week are now coming before the courts under the Landlord and Tenant Act, in which a landlord can formally apply for a judgement to increase rents when the issue is in dispute.

He says the legislation must now be amended to allow tenants take reverse actions in order to lower rents.

Mark Fielding, chief executive of the Irish Small and Medium Business Enterprises (ISME) association said that there are currently about 20 vacant retail units around the Grafton Street area.

Footfall in city-centre shops is down by around 30% on the peak in 2007 compared to just 8% in the Dundrum Town Centre.

"The shopping centres on the outskirts are not feeling the pinch as much as the city- centre area," he said.

"We are finding that many landlords are being required to take a part in the business risk experience if they are lucky enough to get new rentals.

"In some places. landlords are taking turnover-related rents, which means a proportion of the turnover."