New six-year tenancy rules only apply to contracts signed after March 1, 2026
The government has begun sending emails and letters to landlords urging them not to evict existing tenants in anticipation of new rental legislation that will allow tenants to remain in properties for up to six years.
The correspondence emphasizes that existing tenancies are not affected by the reforms and that the new rules only apply to rental contracts signed after March 1, 2026. A Department of Housing spokesperson said the letters are being sent to alleviate landlord concerns following widespread protests over the new rental law.
The department has received numerous questions from landlords about the rent reforms. The communication clarifies that landlords need not evict current tenants before March 2026, as existing tenancies can continue under current terms.
However, figures from the Residential Tenancies Board released last week showed 5,405 eviction notices were issued in the third quarter, estimated to be 35 percent higher than the same period last year, suggesting many landlords are moving to terminate tenancies before the new rules take effect.
Landlords have reacted negatively to the Housing Department’s letter, with some describing it as a “begging notice” from the department. Some landlords have reportedly attempted to avoid RTB registration after being requested not to evict tenants.
From March 1, 2026, new rental contracts will be for six-year terms. During this period, landlords will only be able to terminate leases and evict tenants in special circumstances. Rent can only be renegotiated and properties returned to the rental market after six years, meaning rent resets would not occur until 2032 for contracts signed in March 2026.
A nationwide rent cap will also take effect, preventing landlords from increasing rent by more than 2 percent annually or in line with inflation, whichever is lower. Newly built apartments are exempt from this cap.
After the initial six-year period, existing tenants can choose to continue their tenancy with rent increases permitted. Landlords can terminate contracts if tenants fail to meet obligations such as payments, or if the property becomes unsuitable for the tenant’s needs.
Landlords are permitted to increase rents when tenants voluntarily vacate, but not in cases of eviction. Landlords owning four or more properties will be denied no-fault evictions entirely.
Small landlords with three or fewer rental properties can evict tenants only in specific circumstances, such as financial hardship or to accommodate a family member.
The Irish Property Owners Association has warned that evictions will increase before the end of March as landlords rush to exit tenancies ahead of the new rules. There is concern that tightening regulations will prompt small landlords to sell properties and withdraw from the rental market, reducing overall supply and potentially driving rents higher in the long term.
The government maintains the reforms are necessary to provide greater security for tenants and moderate rent increases, while critics argue the measures will accelerate the departure of small landlords and worsen Ireland’s rental housing shortage.