Rental Sector
Dail Éireann — 2025-10-14
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Marian Harkin (IND), Sligo-Leitrim

On the basis of the response I have here, it seems that the Government is trying to ensure a fair balance. The Government is focused on growing the supply of much-needed rental accommodation by keeping existing landlords in the market but also by attracting new landlords. I hear what the Deputy is saying, however. By doing this, we must ensure strong and balanced tenancy protections for tenants and landlords.
The residential tenancies (amendment) (No. 2) Bill will be published as soon as possible in order to allow the new measures to come into effect by 1 March 2026. The key message from the Government for landlords is that if they have existing tenancies, for example, those created on or before 28 February 2026, their right to terminate those tenancies will not change on foot of the impending Bill. In fact, if a tenancy ends on or after 1 March 2026 because the tenant leaves or breaches their obligations, the landlord may reset the rent to market rate for the new tenant. Rent controls are being modified to help landlords to keep their rental income in line with inflation and not fall behind market rent.
There is also a key message for tenants. It is that if they create a new tenancy with a new landlord from 1 March 2026 and do not breach their obligations, they will have greater security to remain in situ for a minimum of six years. Some flexibility will be provided for smaller landlords to end tenancies if they face hardship or their family needs to occupy a property.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-10-14/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:04+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-10-14