Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2025
232. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans to introduce any targeted measures or supports aimed at retaining small private landlords in the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54479/25]
View answerThe Government remains focused on growing the supply of much-needed rental accommodation by keeping existing landlords in the market and attracting new landlords, while ensuring strong and balanced tenancy protections for both tenants and landlords.
In order to boost the supply of homes available for rent, the Government approved modifications to rent controls, to come into effect on 1 March 2026. The changes will 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.
In order to stimulate investment and keep existing landlords in the sector, rents for new tenancies may be reset to market value, unless the previous tenant has received a Notice of Termination, except where such a notice was issued because the tenant did not fulfil their obligations or if the property was no longer suitable. Landlords will be able to reset the rent where a tenant voluntarily laves a tenancy.
After 1 March 2026, annual rent increases in tenancies will be capped at the level of inflation (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments, annual rent increases will be capped at the level of inflation (CPI). The RTB RPZ calculator (https://rtb.ie/compliance/check-rpz-compliance/rpzcalculator/) assists landlords to comply with the rent controls until 28 February 2026 and will be modified to assist with the implementation of the new rent control from 1 March 2026.
The policy proposals for stronger tenancy protections will apply to new tenancies created from 1 March 2026, which will significantly enhance the current provision of tenancies of unlimited duration with the introduction of tenancies of minimum duration (TMD), involving rolling 6-year tenancies by a smaller landlord (with three or fewer tenancies) with a new tenant.
In limited circumstances during a 6-year TMD, a smaller landlord will be allowed to end a tenancy. This would include where the landlord requires the property for a family member (spouse/civil partner/parent/child) or where the landlord is experiencing hardship and requires vacant possession. A smaller landlord will also be allowed to terminate a tenancy using the limited grounds under section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 (RTA) at the end of each 6-year period while the tenancy continues to exist.
All landlords will retain the right to terminate a tenancy where there is a breach of tenant obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household.
For existing tenancies (i.e. those in place on 28 February 2026), landlords will continue to have the right to terminate a tenancy in line with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2025 as they apply on 28 February 2026.
Legislation to give effect to these policy proposals is being prepared and will be published later this year.
