Dublin: The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) has urged stronger enforcement powers, including the ability to fine landlords who breach rent pressure zone (RPZ) rules, after rents rose by more than 10% in eight counties and evictions increased by 17% over the past year.
Under RPZ rules, landlords cannot raise rents by more than 2% annually. However, the RTB currently can only order refunds of excess rent, with €105,000 already returned to tenants this year.
Deputy director Louise Loughlin said fixed penalties would allow swifter enforcement, while RTB director Rosemary Steen warned landlords that criminal proceedings remain an option.
Significant Rent Increases Outside Dublin
The RTB identified Donegal, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Roscommon, Monaghan and Tipperary as areas with the sharpest rent hikes. New tenancy rents rose 5.5% nationally, with Dublin averaging €2,186 per month. Eight counties recorded double-digit growth.
Large Landlord Ownership Revealed
Almost 14% of landlords nationwide own 100 or more properties, rising to over 20% in Dublin. Despite nearly 400 landlords leaving the market in Q2, the overall number of landlords remains higher than in mid-2024.
Upcoming Changes to Rent Rules
From March 2026, landlords will be allowed to set rents at market value between tenancies. In return, new tenants will benefit from a seven-year eviction ban on agreements signed from March 2025. The RTB is seeking IT upgrades to better track compliance.
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