311. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s plans to curtail economic evictions due to rising rents; the steps he is taking to address people being priced out of the private rental market; if he plans to introduce rent control measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48090/26]

On 1 March 2026, the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 came into operation. The Act provides for a national rent control and significantly strengthens security of tenure for tenants. Effectively, there is a ban on ‘no fault’ evictions for larger landlords (i.e. companies or landlords with 4 or more tenancies) in respect of new tenancies. This cohort currently provide over 55% of all tenancies.

For new tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026, the grounds for termination of a 6 year Tenancy of Minimum Duration (TMD) during its term are also more limited for a smaller landlord.

A smaller landlord is permitted to terminate a TMD during its 6-year term on the ground of landlord/immediate family occupation. Also, to avoid undue financial or other hardship, a smaller landlord is permitted to terminate a TMD during its 6-year term on the ground of intention to sell –

(a) where the landlord requires the sales proceeds to provide a principal private residence for the landlord or their spouse/civil partner;

(b) where the sales proceeds are required to discharge a debt, including a payment to the Revenue Commissioners; or

(c) where the landlord or the spouse/civil partner of the landlord is adjudicated bankrupt / makes a composition or arrangement with creditors.

A smaller landlord can terminate, as usual, on one or more of the limited grounds at the end of a 6 year TMD.

The new national rent control limits rent increases to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments and student-specific accommodation, however, rent increases are capped at the level of inflation (CPI) only.

The policy and legislative reform of the rental market was introduced to both protect tenants while also ensuring that the regulatory system will support investment in the rental market. This investment is key to increasing the supply of properties, and over time, reducing rents.

Rent re-setting will not apply to a new tenancy where the most recent previous tenancy, if any, of that dwelling during the preceding two years, ended through a ‘no fault eviction’. The aim is to avoid 'economic evictions' by landlords who wish to rise rents.

The RTB's dispute resolution service is available to assist any party with a tenancy issue and the RTB has powers to investigate and sanction improper conduct by landlords. The Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 also proposes to further strengthen the RTB's enforcement powers by providing for the RTB to serve Fixed Payment Notices in respect of certain offences, including rent setting offences. Court enforcement of RTB dispute determination orders will also be streamlined.

The Government remains focused on growing the supply of much-needed rental accommodation by keeping existing landlords in the market and attracting new landlords, while ensuring strong and balanced tenancy protections for both tenants and landlords. Delivering Homes, Building Communities recognises that the rental market is an important element of a well-functioning housing system.