Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
687. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for linking rent increases in the first two years to CPI for new build, purpose-built student accommodation, with no 2% cap where the development commenced after 10 June 2025, as outlined in the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026–2035; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29077/26]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 came into effect on 1 March 2026, introducing a new national rent control for all tenancies, which limits rent increases to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments and student-specific accommodation (SSA) that lodge commencement notices on or after 10 June 2025, however, rent increases are capped at the level of inflation (CPI) only. These changes were introduced to promote greater investment in the rental market and to increase the supply of rental properties, including new purpose built student accommodation.
The Act also provides significant improvements in security of tenure for renters. A tenant moving into a dwelling on or after 1 March 2026 will have certainty that while they remain in the tenancy their rent can only increase by inflation, up to a maximum of 2% in all tenancies, other than new apartments or SSA. Rent increases in tenancies that began before 1 March 2026 will also be restricted to inflation, up to a maximum increase of 2%.
