The head of Ireland’s Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) has defended the effectiveness of rent control measures that could potentially be discontinued by the Government at the end of this year, stating that the regulations are delivering tangible benefits to tenants nationwide.
The RTB chief confirmed that the organization has formally communicated its position on rent pressure zones to the Housing Agency, which is preparing recommendations for Housing Minister James Browne regarding the future of these controls.
The rent pressure zone system, which caps annual rent increases in designated areas, faces an uncertain future as the Government considers whether to extend, modify, or eliminate the measures when the current framework expires at year-end.
The statement from the rental watchdog comes amid ongoing debate about the effectiveness of rent controls in addressing Ireland’s housing affordability crisis, with supporters arguing they provide essential protections for tenants while critics claim they discourage investment in the rental sector.
The Housing Agency’s forthcoming report and Minister Browne’s decision will determine whether these rent control mechanisms continue into 2026 and beyond.