Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 January 2026
95. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether data protection and GDPR considerations have been fully addressed in the development of the proposed rent register; the way in which the identity and personal data of landlords will be protected, particularly in small towns and rural areas with limited rental stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6915/26]
View answerIn line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025 provides for the establishment of a Rent Price Register.
As part of the drafting process of the Bill, my Department consulted with the Data Protection Commission in compliance with Article 36(4) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Section 84(12) of the Data Protection Act 2018.
Taking account of those consultations and in compliance with data protection and privacy legislation, the rent amount payable and the unique identifier for the tenancy will be included on the RTB’s published register. The address of the dwelling will not be published to prevent the disclosure of the identity of the landlord and tenant. Accordingly, no personal information will be included in the RTB’s published register. The Local Electoral Area in respect of each tenancy will be included on the published register, as opposed to the address of the dwelling.
It is also proposed to include on the published register, the number of bedspaces, floor area and the Building Energy Rating (BER) in addition to the dwelling type and number of bedrooms. The additional information will help set the rent amount in the context of the nature of accommodation for let.
This register will provide greater transparency in rental prices for tenants, landlords and other stakeholders and will be an important and necessary source of information for the sector, particularly when setting and reviewing rents.
