Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2025
228. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps her Department is taking to ensure that the forthcoming amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, due to take effect in March 2026, achieve a fair balance between landlord and tenant rights; and if she will publish any equality or economic impact assessment carried out prior to their introduction. [54459/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra229. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the forthcoming amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 will include statutory service-level targets for the Residential Tenancies Board in resolving rent arrears and anti-social behaviour cases; and the targets and resources allocated to achieve them. [54460/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department will introduce standardised evidence templates and procedural guidance for both landlords and tenants in termination cases under the March 2026 legislative changes, to minimise procedural errors and ensure fair and efficient dispute resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54462/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 228, 229 and 230 together.
On 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 existing operation of the current RPZ rent controls. The report can be accessed here: www.housingagency.ie/publications/review-rent-pressure-zones-report.
Legislation is being prepared, informed by the Programme for Government commitment below, and will be published later this year to give effect to these policy measures. It is not practice to publish Memoranda for Government or underpinning policy and legal advices.
The Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland’s Future commits to protect renters and landlords from abusive practices by enhancing the enforcement powers of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and establishing statutory timelines for dealing with complaints.
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2025 (the RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The RTB was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2025, to operate a national tenancy registration system, to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants and to provide information to tenants and landlords. My Department will support the RTB in the provision of guidance to the sector, as necessary, and assist in securing adequate resources in the context of the impending legal changes from March 2026. In 2026, the Exchequer funding allocation for the RTB will be significantly increased by over 70% to €22.8m.
