Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
386. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his response to reports of landlords looking to sell their properties in advance of new rules taking effect on 1 March 2026 next; if he has any concerns about this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67249/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 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.
The modifications to rent controls have been informed by the findings of the Housing Agency review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options. This review was undertaken to assess the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) since their introduction and consider their impact on the market and relevant stakeholders, including the retention of landlords and new investment. It was also to consider whether RPZs should continue without change or be removed, modified or replaced. The review involved engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including investors, representatives of landlord and tenant advocacy groups, academics and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The review recommended a modification of rent controls. It also recommended allowing landlords to reset rents to market levels between tenancies and providing for stronger tenant protections to guard against economic evictions.
On 14 October 2025, Government approved the General Scheme of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025. This legislation is now subject to priority drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently conducting pre-legislative scrutiny.
For existing tenancies (i.e. those in place on 28 February 2026), landlords will continue to have the right to terminate a tenancy in line with the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2025 (RTA) as they apply on 28 February 2026.
All landlords will continue to have the right, at any time, to terminate any existing or new tenancy if there is a breach of tenant obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household. All landlords will continue to have the right to sell a rented dwelling with the tenant in situ.
The enhanced tenancy protections will only apply to new tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026.
To offer greater protection to tenants, rolling 6-year tenancies of minimum duration (TMD) will apply for new tenancies created between parties on or after 1 March 2026. Such a new tenancy that continues for 6 months becomes a tenancy of unlimited duration, with rolling 6 year TMDs.
To mitigate the impact of TMDs on smaller landlords (i.e. landlords who have 3 or fewer tenancies and are not a company), they will be allowed to terminate a TMD during its 6 year term, if:
• the landlord intends to sell the rented dwelling due to financial hardship (to be prescribed in law) and does not wish to do so with the tenant(s) in situ; or
• the landlord requires the property for himself/herself or an immediate family member (spouse/civil partner, child or parent) to occupy as a principal private residence.
A smaller landlord will also, in advance of the end of each 6 year TMD, be allowed to serve a notice of termination with a termination date on/after the date of expiry of the 6 years, under any of the existing grounds for termination including:
• the landlord intends to sell the property;
• the landlord/family member requires the property for occupation;
• the landlord intends to substantially refurbish/renovate the property; or
• the landlord intends to change the use of the property.
Larger landlords (a company and/or a landlord with 4 or more tenancies) will not have the right to terminate a tenancy in the context of sale; landlord/family member occupation or change of use. A larger landlord will have the right to terminate a tenancy where the tenant is breaching tenancy obligations or the property is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household.
A detailed communications campaign will be undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the RTB, as soon as possible before the introduction of the new legislative measures from 1 March 2026.
Further information is available at:
Rental Market Reforms in Ireland | Tenant Protections & Housing Legislation Updates.
