The Irish Government is set to introduce legislation requiring landlords to publicly disclose the amount of rent charged to tenants, marking a major step toward transparency in the country’s rental market.
Introduction of Rent Price Register
The new laws will establish a rent price register, modeled on the Property Price Register, which tracks home sales. Government sources say the register will help tenants, policymakers, and regulators better understand rental pricing trends nationwide.
It will also ensure landlords comply with existing rules on rent increases in high-demand areas, particularly within rent pressure zones (RPZs) where annual rent hikes are currently capped at 2%.
Additional Property Information Required
Under the proposed laws, landlords will need to provide details about the property, including:
- Building energy rating
- Number of bedrooms
- Property type
The register will be designed in consultation with the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure tenant and landlord data is securely handled.
Changes to Rent Increases
The legislation will link allowable rent increases to inflation, using the Consumer Price Index or the current 2% cap, whichever is lower. However, this cap will not apply to newly built apartments, a move aimed at encouraging additional construction in the housing sector.
Wider Rental Market Reforms
Housing Minister James Browne outlined broader reforms earlier this year, allowing landlords to reset rents to market rates either when a new tenancy begins or every six years. Landlords will have to justify reset rents by comparing them with similar properties in the area.
Restrictions on No-Fault Evictions
The legislation will effectively ban no-fault evictions for larger landlords owning four or more properties. Smaller landlords may still evict tenants under limited circumstances, such as if they or a family member plan to occupy the property, or if the property is being sold to fund a new home purchase.
Landlords will not be permitted to reset rents after a no-fault eviction.
Timeline for Implementation
The laws are expected to be enacted swiftly, with the rent price register and associated reforms scheduled to take effect from March 1, 2026.
