Ireland’s new rental rules (the Residential Tenancies Bill 2026) is coming into effect on
1st March 2026 – aiming to give tenants more stability whilst letting landlords earn a fair return.
The new rules apply to new tenancies that start on or after 1st March 2026 only. There are no changes to existing tenancies which continue to follow the old rules.
Term of Tenancy
From 1st March 2026, all tenancies will be subject to a minimum period to improve tenant security:
- run for a minimum period of 6 years
- automatically roll-over every 6 years unless the landlord serves a notice to quit
Rent for Tenancy
Landlords will be allowed to set the rent at the ‘market rate’ from 1st March 2026 for all new tenants, if previously below market rate.
However no one knows how the ‘market rate’ will be determined and if left to market demand, it could see rents soaring – having the opposite effect for renters who are already finding it hard to secure tenancies.
Rent reviews are set to become more predictable. After 6 years, landlords can increase rent which is capped at the rate of inflation according to CPI or 2%, whichever is lower.
Types of Landlords
Effectively landlords have effectively been divided into two tiers and this will determine how or if they can terminate a lease…
Small Landlord – 3 or fewer tenancies
These landlords will be able to terminate a lease in the event of financial or other hardship requiring sale of the property; or if the landlord or close family member needs to live in the property.
Large Landlords – 4 or more tenancies
These landlords will only be able to evict if the tenants are not meeting their obligations, for example not paying their rent; or if the property is no longer suitable for the tenant i.e. too small for a family.
This aims of the legislation is to protect tenants and discourage mass evictions, while offering flexibility for smaller, more vulnerable landlords.
We have seen smaller landlords selling their properties in the runup to 1st March, as well as an upward pressure on rents. How the new legislation plays out in long-run we don’t know just yet – but it is expected the market will experience a major re-set in the short run.
#renters #landlords #newtenancylawsireland
