Landlords in the Republic of Ireland face tough new reforms in an overhaul of the rental market that goes much further than England’s Renters’ Rights Act.

A national system of rent controls and significantly stronger tenant protections are set to be introduced for all new tenancies from 1^st March under the new Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026.

Planned changes include introducing tenancies of minimum duration- rolling tenancies of six years - and the creation of a rent price register to provide greater transparency about rental rates in the country.

The bill introduces definitions of smaller landlords – those with three or fewer tenancies - and larger landlords. No-fault evictions will be banned for larger landlords, with limited provision for evictions for small landlords under the new banding systems, such as when they are in financial hardship, they need to sell the property, or they or a close family member needs to live there.

Reset

Landlords will be able to reset rents to market rates for new tenancies created on or after 1st March and between tenancies after that, if tenants leave of their own volition or are in breach of their tenancy. Landlords must also prove that the reset rent is fair in comparison to similar properties in the area using the new rent price register.

The new proposals would mean for new tenancies after 1st March, rents cannot rise by more than 2% a year even if inflation is higher. For existing tenancies (in place on 28th February), rent increases will be capped at the rate of inflation according to the Consumer Price Index or 2%, whichever is lower.

Needed

Housing, local government and heritage minister, James Browne (pictured), says these reforms are badly needed. “I want to grow the supply of rental homes available - attract more landlords and retain existing landlords in the market,” he explains.

“Providing the policy conditions for a sustained increase in supply is essential because it will help ease price pressures across the rental market, and will widen the pool of available rental properties, thereby facilitating greater choice for individuals and families.”

Louise McQuaid, senior associate at Pinsent Masons, agrees that the plans will create a more stable market for landlords “The move to a nationwide rent control system removes years of rent pressure zones uncertainty and brings a level of consistency that many investors have long called for - although it will demand tighter financial modelling and earlier risk assessment.”

‍