By M10News Housing Desk
Evictions on the Rise
The number of tenants losing their homes has risen sharply in the past year, according to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
The regulator said landlords issued 4,728 termination notices in the three months to June — a 17.2% increase compared with the same quarter in 2024.
More than half of those notices, some 2,698, were served because landlords intended to sell their properties.
Higher Costs for New Tenancies
The RTB also found that renters moving into new homes are paying an average of €244 more per month compared with those already in place.
Nationwide, new tenancies averaged €1,696 per month, while existing tenants paid €1,452.
The figures highlight a widening affordability gap between sitting tenants and those entering the rental market.
Corporate Landlords Expand
The regulator noted a growing role for corporate landlords, defined as those holding more than 100 tenancies.
Their share of the rental market has risen to nearly 14%, while smaller private landlords continue to withdraw.
This shift raises questions about long-term rental supply and affordability.
Growth in Approved Housing Bodies
On a more positive note, the RTB said approved housing bodies, which provide non-profit rental homes with greater security of tenure, have grown strongly.
At the end of June, these tenancies had increased by 11.7% year-on-year, reaching almost 53,000.
The regulator said these homes are critical for keeping rents affordable in the long term.
Rent Increases Outside Dublin
The sharpest rises in new rental costs were seen outside the capital.
Eight counties — Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kildare, Laois, Roscommon, Monaghan, and Donegal — recorded annual growth of more than 10%.
RTB director Rosemary Steen said the pattern was a “significant concern” for rural affordability.
Repeated Surges in Key Counties
Five of the affected counties — Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Monaghan, and Tipperary — have now seen high new-tenancy increases for eight consecutive quarters.
The RTB said it will target those counties with new education campaigns aimed at landlords.
Officials hope this approach will curb future rent inflation without resorting to heavier sanctions.
Dublin’s Rent Growth Slows
In contrast, Dublin’s rental market has shown relative stability.
New tenancy rents in the capital increased by just 3.3% in the past year — the slowest pace since mid-2022.
Analysts say this is partly due to already high baseline rents in Dublin.
Nationwide Harmonisation Emerging
The RTB said the data suggests “harmonisation” of rental levels is beginning to emerge across Ireland.
Areas that were once more affordable are now catching up with Dublin’s costs.
Many of these counties only recently came under rent pressure zone rules.
Rent Pressure Zones Extended
Until last June, several of the counties with sharp increases were excluded from rent pressure zones.
That designation now applies nationwide, limiting rent hikes to 2% annually.
The RTB said the move was designed to bring more consistency to the rental market.
Economists Warn of Delays
Rachel Slaymaker of the Economic and Social Research Institute said it is unlikely rents in those eight counties will stabilise in the short term.
However, she suggested a slowdown could occur in future quarters.
She noted that markets excluded from earlier restrictions are now experiencing delayed inflationary effects.
Landlord Education Plans
RTB director Steen stressed the importance of educating landlords about their obligations.
“It’s a national requirement, and we intend to oversee that extremely diligently,” she said.
She argued that education is more effective than relying solely on enforcement measures.
Refunds for Rent Overcharges
The RTB confirmed that it had returned more than €100,000 in rent overpayments to tenants in the first half of 2025.
A total of 203 tenants received refunds, with the rulings made retrospectively.
There is no time limit on bringing forward a claim for unlawful overcharging.
Galway Example Shows Progress
Ms Steen pointed to Galway as an example of education making a difference.
“Last quarter we spoke about sharp rental rises in Galway, and it’s starting to stabilise now at 6%,” she said.
She described this as a sign that intervention efforts can work over time.
Tenants Still Under Pressure
Despite some positive signals, the regulator acknowledged that many tenants remain under severe financial pressure.
The gap between new and existing rents highlights the challenges facing those moving or entering the market.
Campaigners say the latest figures confirm Ireland’s rental crisis is deepening.
M10News Housing Desk | Contact: housing@m10news.com
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