The State’s rental regulator, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), has launched a nationwide information campaign to prepare tenants and landlords for sweeping rent reforms coming into force on 1 March.
The campaign aims to explain new rent-setting rules, enhanced tenant protections and expanded reporting obligations introduced under the recently enacted Residential Tenancies Act 2026, signed into law by President Catherine Connolly.
Mandatory Notice to RTB and Tenants
From Sunday, landlords will be required to submit rent change notices not only to tenants but also directly to the RTB. Previously, landlords were only obliged to notify the tenant.
The regulator says this marks a shift toward what RTB Director Rosemary Steen described as “much more digital enforcement”, allowing the body to monitor compliance more closely.
The RTB has also increased staffing levels ahead of the changes and has said it will report to Government if legislative adjustments are required.
Public Rent Register Launching 1 March
A key feature of the reform is the launch of a publicly searchable rent register from 1 March. The database will show actual rents paid across the country, based on registered tenancies.
Updated daily, the register will allow searches by:
- Eircode
- Dwelling type
- Number of bedrooms
- Floor space
The RTB also provides an online rent calculator to help landlords determine the maximum rent they are permitted to charge under the new caps.
Officials say the register is designed to increase transparency in a market that has faced criticism for opacity around pricing.
Rent Caps and Market Resets
Under the new framework, annual rent increases will be capped at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
However, when a tenancy ends and a new one begins, landlords will be permitted to reset the rent to the current market rate — provided the previous tenant left voluntarily.
Critics argue this reset mechanism could lead to significant rent hikes, particularly in areas where market rents have risen sharply in recent years.
Six-Year Tenancies and Eviction Changes
New tenancies created after 1 March will carry a minimum six-year duration, offering what the Government describes as enhanced security of tenure.
Eviction grounds will also change significantly, particularly for larger landlords defined as those owning more than three tenancies.
Large landlords will only be able to terminate tenancies for limited reasons, such as:
- Non-payment of rent
- Breach of tenant obligations
- Property no longer being suitable
Smaller landlords will retain broader termination rights, including where:
- The landlord or close family member needs to occupy the property
- The landlord experiences financial or personal hardship
According to housing analyst Lorcan Sirr, a senior lecturer at TU Dublin, the introduction of “personal hardship” as a ground for termination may limit the extent to which the reforms truly strengthen tenant security.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dr Sirr warned that complex legislation often leads to complex policy outcomes — and potentially more disputes before the RTB.
Political Division Over Impact
The legislation remains strongly opposed by Opposition parties, who warn that allowing market resets could cause rents to spike.
The Coalition, however, maintains that the reforms strike a balance between protecting renters and preventing further landlord exits from the sector — a key concern given ongoing supply shortages.
Supporters argue that clearer rules, enhanced transparency through the rent register, and longer tenancy durations will create a more stable and predictable rental market.
What Does Not Change
Tenancies commenced before 1 March will not be affected by the new six-year minimum duration rule. Existing rental agreements continue under previous terms, subject to applicable rent pressure zone rules.
As the reforms take effect, the RTB says its information campaign will focus on ensuring both landlords and tenants understand their rights and obligations under the new system.
With rents having risen consistently over the past decade and supply at historic lows, the effectiveness of the new framework will be closely monitored in the months ahead.
