The government is currently passing the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, a law that will change the rules for almost every landlord and tenant in the country starting March 1, 2026.
The End of Rent Pressure Zones
For years, rent increases were limited only in specific “Rent Pressure Zones” (RPZs) like Dublin or Cork. This new law scraps that local system. Instead, a National Rent Control will apply everywhere. For any existing tenancy (those in place before February 28, 2026), rent increases will be capped at the rate of inflation (CPI) or 2%, whichever is lower. This means if you are already in a home, your rent cannot suddenly skyrocket by 10% or 20% next year.
The Six-Year Security Rule
One of the biggest changes is how long a tenant can stay in a home. For new leases starting from March 1, the government is introducing Tenancies of Minimum Duration (TMD). These are rolling six-year agreements.
- For Large Landlords: If your landlord owns four or more properties, they essentially cannot end your tenancy just because they want to sell the house or move a family member in. You have much stronger protection.
- For Small Landlords: If your landlord owns three or fewer properties, they still have some flexibility. They can end a tenancy if they genuinely need the house for a family member or if they are in financial trouble and must sell.
The “Market Reset” Debate
While the 2% cap protects you during your lease, there is a catch. Every six years, or when a new tenant moves in (if the previous one left voluntarily), the landlord is allowed to reset the rent to the current market value.
The government says this “reset” is necessary to keep landlords from leaving the rental market. However, opposition parties like Sinn Féin are furious. They argue that market rents in Ireland are already at record highs. By allowing a reset every six years, they believe the 2% cap is just a temporary shield that will eventually fail, leading to “rip-off” prices for the next generation of renters.
Special Rules for Students and New Apartments
The law isn’t the same for everyone.
- New Apartments: To encourage developers to build more, apartments built after June 2025 are exempt from the 2% cap. Their rent can increase based on inflation alone.
- Student Housing: Student-specific accommodation will have its rent reviewed every three years instead of six.
What Happens Next?
The Bill is currently being “guillotined” (rushed) through the Dáil to meet the March 1 deadline. While the government promises this will bring stability and more houses to the market, groups like Threshold are watching closely to see if the “market reset” causes a new wave of homelessness. For now, renters should know that after March, their rights will depend heavily on whether their landlord is a “large” company or a “small” individual.
