Dublin: The government has begun issuing emails and letters to landlords nationwide, urging them not to evict existing tenants ahead of sweeping new tenancy laws that will allow renters to remain in their homes for up to six years. The communication clarifies that the new rules—set to take effect on March 1, 2026—apply only to new tenancy agreements and do not affect current tenants who remain in place.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said the outreach aims to ease confusion and address widespread concerns among property owners. Landlords have raised numerous questions as protests continue over the upcoming reforms. The letter emphasises that there is no need to remove current tenants before March 2026, and existing tenancies will remain governed by current laws until they naturally expire or are otherwise ended in line with existing rules.
The reminder comes as the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) reported 5,405 eviction notices issued last week, a 35% increase compared with the same period last year—raising fears that landlords may be preemptively clearing properties ahead of the legislative changes.
Landlords Criticise Government Letter
The government’s appeal has been met with hostility from some landlords, with critics describing the correspondence as a “begging notice” from the Housing Department. Reports have also emerged of landlords attempting to avoid RTB registration amid growing tensions over the reforms.
Key Changes to Tenancy Law Taking Effect on March 1, 2026
The reforms represent one of the most significant overhauls of Ireland’s rental framework in decades. Key provisions include:
1. Introduction of Six-Year Tenancy Agreements
- All new rental contracts will be set for six years, during which landlords may terminate leases only under specific, legally defined circumstances.
- Rent may only be reset when the six-year period ends, meaning most properties will not see a rent reassessment until 2032.
2. Nationwide Rent Cap
- Rent increases will be capped at a maximum of 2% annually, or the prevailing inflation rate—whichever is lower.
- Newly built apartments are exempt from the cap to encourage continued construction.
3. Continuation Options for Tenants
- After the first six-year term, landlords may allow tenants to continue renting the property, though rent may be increased at that point.
4. Grounds for Termination
Landlords may end a tenancy only when:
- The tenant breaches obligations (e.g., failure to pay rent), or
- The property becomes unsuitable for the tenant’s needs.
Landlords may increase rent when a tenant voluntarily vacates a property, but not in cases of eviction.
5. Restrictions on No-Fault Evictions
- Landlords owning four or more properties will be prohibited from issuing no-fault evictions.
- Small landlords with three or fewer units may terminate tenancies only in limited scenarios, such as financial hardship or to house a close family member.
The Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) warns of a potential spike in evictions before the March deadline, as landlords seek to avoid long-term constraints. The group also anticipates that some small landlords may opt to sell their properties and exit the rental market entirely—a development that could further reduce rental supply and drive rents higher over time.
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