Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2025
51. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the March 2026 rent reset will be operationalised in a way that will protect renters and mitigate for the financial incentive for landlords to evict tenants ahead of the rent reset date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53901/25]
View answerOn 10 June 2025, the Government approved policy measures including modifications to rent controls to come into effect on 1 March 2026 in order to boost investment in the supply of homes available for rent and keep existing landlords in the market. The changes agreed will also provide significantly stronger tenancy protections and are finely balanced between the interests of tenants and the need for further private investment in the rental market across the country. Further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/press-releases/government-to-introduce-major-reforms-to-the-rental-sector/.
The modifications to rent controls have been informed by the findings of the Housing Agency review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options and its preferred recommendation to modify the operation of the existing RPZ rent controls. The report can be accessed here: www.housingagency.ie/publications/review-rent-pressure-zones-report.
Resetting of rents to market value will be allowed for new tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancy between parties) on or after 1 March 2026 as part of the reform of rent controls. However, resetting of rents will not be allowed where the preceding tenancy, if any, was terminated via a ‘no fault eviction’. Rent re-setting will only be allowed where a tenant terminates their tenancy or breaches their tenant obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household.
For existing tenancies (i.e. those created on or before 28 February 2026), resetting of rents to market value will not be allowed. The restriction on annual rent increases will continue to apply.
Legislation is being prepared and will be published later this year to give effect to these policy measures.
