Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2025
546. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a circular will be issued to outline the changes to tenancy laws that are coming into force in March 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51270/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra593. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to publication of the Government’s Autumn legislative programme, to set out the matters to be addressed in the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill; the timeline for the preparation and publication of the Bill; whether pre-legislative scrutiny is planned in respect of the bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52134/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 593 together.
On 10 June 2025, the Government approved policy measures to provide for the enhancement of rent controls and tenancy protections for new tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancy between parties) from 1 March 2026. Legislation is being prepared and will be published later this year to give effect to these policy measures. 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 new measures 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 existing operation of the current RPZ rent controls. The report can be accessed here: www.housingagency.ie/publications/review-rent-pressure-zones-report.
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 across the country.
The General Scheme of the Bill is expected to be submitted to Government in October for its approval as a basis for priority legal drafting to commence in the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Once approved by Government, the General Scheme will be forwarded to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny. Publication of the Bill is expected later this year. A detailed communications campaign will be undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Residential Tenancies Board, between the publication of the Bill and the introduction of the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026.
