I propose to take Questions Nos. 616, 642 and 643 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, taking account of stakeholder engagement. 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 operation of the existing RPZ rent controls. The report can be accessed here: www.housingagency.ie/publications/review-rent-pressure-zones-report .
Resetting of rents to market value will be allowed for new tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancy between parties) on or after 1 March 2026 as part of the reform of rent controls. However, resetting of rents will not be allowed where the preceding tenancy, if any, was terminated via a ‘no fault eviction’. Rent re-setting will only be allowed where a tenant terminates their tenancy or breaches their tenant obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household.
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 created on or before 28 February 2026), resetting of rents to market value will not be allowed. The restriction on annual rent increases will continue to apply.
Legislation is being prepared and will be published later this year to give effect to these policy measures.
The 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.
The RTB's Profile of the Register shows that at the end of Q2 2025, there were 240,798 registered private tenancies, an increase of 3.2% annually, with 104,072 private landlords. There were also 14,742 new tenancy registrations in Q2 2025.
My Department, the RTB and I keep the operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 across the country under constant review and will progress any necessary legislative change in a timely manner.
