739. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if rents on properties within a rent pressure zone can be increased by more than 4% in one year in circumstances in which a new company has taken over a development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52753/19]

The Planning and Development and Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2016 introduced the  Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising, resulting in great difficulty for households finding affordable accommodation. In these areas, called Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ), rents can only increase by a maximum of 4% per annum. The annual rent increase restriction applies to both new and existing tenancies, irrespective of a change of landlord.