If you are planning on relocating to Ireland, understanding how the rental market works is an important part of preparing for the move. From 1 March 2026, new legislation will introduce significant changes to the rules governing the private rental sector.
The reforms are part of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, which aims to increase stability for tenants while bringing greater transparency to rent setting and tenancy rights.
For individuals and families moving to Ireland, or companies relocating talent, these changes may influence how rents are reviewed, how long tenants can remain in a property, and the circumstances under which a landlord can end a tenancy.
Below is a clear overview of the key changes and what they mean for tenants relocating to Ireland.
Which tenancies are affected by the new rules?
The new legislation applies to tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026.
These rules cover most types of rental accommodation, including:
- Private rented housing
- Housing supported through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)
- The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)
- Student-specific accommodation
- Housing provided by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs)
- Cost rental housing
However, some types of accommodation are excluded.
The new rules do not apply to:
- Local authority housing
- People renting a room in their landlord’s home
- Tenancies that began before March 2026
It is also worth noting that the rent increase rules differ slightly for student accommodation and do not apply to AHB or cost rental housing.
Rent increases: how they will work
Ireland will continue to cap rent increases in most cases.
Under the new rules, rent can only increase by the lower of the following two figures:
- the rate of general inflation
- 2% per year
For example:
- If inflation is 1.5%, rent can increase by a maximum of 1.5%
- If inflation rises to 3%, the increase is capped at 2%
From March 2026, inflation will be measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rather than the previous HICP measure.
This change aligns rent increases more closely with real cost-of-living trends.
Landlords and tenants can use the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) rent calculator to estimate allowable increases.
When the 2% cap does not apply
Certain newly developed properties are treated differently under the legislation.
The 2% cap does not apply to:
- newly built apartments
- newly constructed student accommodation
In these cases, rent increases are limited only by inflation (CPI).
For a property to qualify as a new development, construction must have begun after 10 June 2025.
When landlords can reset rent
For tenancies beginning after 1 March 2026, landlords may review the rent annually within the permitted limits.
However, rent may be reset to market value when a new tenancy begins in certain situations, including:
- the tenant leaving voluntarily
- the tenant breaching their obligations
- the property no longer meeting the tenant’s needs
- the property having been vacant for a defined period
- the property undergoing substantial renovation or change
When resetting rent, landlords must demonstrate that the new rent reflects current market rates for comparable properties.
How market rent is determined
Market rent must be supported by data from the RTB Rent Register, a national database of rental properties.
The register includes information such as:
- property size
- number of bedrooms
- bed spaces
- Building Energy Rating (BER)
- rental prices for similar homes in the same area
Landlords must provide evidence from three comparable rental properties when setting a new rent.
They must also send the rent notice to both the tenant and the RTB on the same day, explaining how the new figure was calculated.
Failure to follow these rules may lead to investigation or sanctions from the RTB.
Protection against “no-fault evictions”
A major objective of the new legislation is to prevent tenants being asked to leave simply so landlords can increase the rent.
Landlords are therefore not allowed to reset rent following a “no-fault eviction”.
This measure aims to create greater security for tenants and discourage unnecessary evictions in the private rental market.
Greater security of tenure
Another key change is the introduction of Tenancies of Minimum Duration (TMD).
Under this system, a tenancy created after March 2026 becomes a six-year tenancy once the tenant has lived in the property for six months without receiving a valid termination notice.
After six years, the tenancy can renew for another six-year period.
Importantly, tenants are not required to stay for six years. They can end the tenancy at any time by giving the appropriate notice.
When a landlord can end a tenancy
The circumstances under which a landlord can end a tenancy now depend on the size of the landlord’s property portfolio.
Landlords are classified as either:
Larger landlords
- four or more tenancies
- registered property companies
Smaller landlords
- three or fewer tenancies
Rules for larger landlords
Larger landlords face stricter limitations.
They may only end a tenancy if:
- the tenant has breached their obligations, such as failing to pay rent
- the property is no longer suitable for the tenant
They can no longer terminate a tenancy simply because they want to:
- sell the property
- move in themselves
- allow a family member to live there
- renovate the property
- change its use
They may still sell the property, but the tenant can remain in the home.
Rules for smaller landlords
Smaller landlords have additional grounds for ending a tenancy.
During the six-year tenancy period, they may terminate the agreement if:
- the tenant breaches obligations
- the property becomes unsuitable
- the landlord experiences personal hardship
- the landlord or an immediate family member needs the property as a home
After the six-year period, smaller landlords may also terminate the tenancy if they intend to sell, renovate or change the property’s use.
In certain cases, landlords must provide statutory declarations confirming the legitimacy of their reason.
Other changes to the rental system
Several additional reforms aim to modernise rental processes.
Electronic notices
Tenants and landlords can now send formal notices electronically, such as by email, provided the system records that the notice has been delivered.
Previously, notices had to be sent by post or delivered in person.
Property viewings
If a landlord plans to sell a property, tenants must allow access for viewings, but the date and time must be agreed in advance.
Improved rental data
The RTB rent register will now include more detailed information about properties, increasing transparency in the Irish rental market.
Additional tenancy registration requirements
Landlords must provide more information when registering a tenancy, including:
- floor area
- number of bed spaces
- building energy rating (BER)
This helps ensure the rent register accurately reflects the market.
Planning a Move to Ireland?
Understanding the new rental rules is an important step when relocating to Ireland, especially in a competitive housing market.
At Cornerstone, we help professionals and families navigate the process of renting in Ireland, from property search and rental negotiations to settling into a new city.
If you are planning a move and would like guidance on finding accommodation in Ireland, our relocation specialists are here to help.