Rental watchdog to target landlords suspected of breaching rent pressure zone rules

New legislation introduced during the summer brought the whole country under RPZ rules. However, the regulator has expressed concerns about increases in excess of these rules.

Ireland’s rental watchdog has launched a new campaign clamping down on landlords suspected of breaching rent pressure zone (RPZ) rules.

In the latest effort to ensure renters aren’t facing increases in excess of the legal limits, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) said it would be contacting landlords where a potential breach has been identified.

“We are contacting some landlords to help ensure rent is set correctly in RPZs,” it said. “Through this campaign, we aim to make sure landlords comply with RPZ rules by giving clear guidance on setting rent correctly.” 

It comes after the watchdog said earlier this year that the number of landlords investigated over serious breaches of rental laws had doubled over the last year as it cracks down on RPZ breaches.

It also follows the regulator’s most recent quarterly update, which showed average rents had risen by 5.5% annually, with rental inflation trends varying significantly across the country.

Legislation

As per RPZ legislation, landlords can increase rent once a year by either the rate of inflation or by 2%, whichever is lower.

New legislation introduced during the summer brought the whole country under RPZ rules.

However, the regulator has expressed concerns about data showing increases in excess of these rules.

After its latest figures were published, its director Rosemary Steen said: “Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Monaghan, and Tipperary have now experienced eight quarters of high new tenancy rent increases. Following the national extension of RPZ, we are targeting increased education and outreach activities in these new RPZ areas.

“We are also calling on landlords in all new RPZ areas to ensure they are informed about RPZ rules.

“We also continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on upcoming changes to rental law. Through the legislative process, we hope to gain new tools to allow us to enforce RPZ rules at a greater scale and pace.” 

In the Government’s new housing plan unveiled last week, it said that the RTB’s budget for 2026 would be €22.8m, an increase of over 70% in their initial 2025 budget.

It also signalled it would provide an increased level of funding for the regulator’s dispute resolution and enforcement activities going forward.

Rent register

Furthermore, a national rent register will be created under Government plans to support prospective tenants to assess the overall price and value in a specific area.

“It will also assist landlords in setting rents and ensuring that those rents are compliant with rental legislation,” the housing plan stated.

Government sources indicated that the introduction of the rent register will help provide more transparency of rent prices across the country.

The change is also being implemented to ensure landlords comply with the law on rent price increases in high-demand areas.

There will also be a requirement for the landlord to provide information on the building energy rating of the property, under the proposed laws, as well as the number of bedrooms, and the property type.

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Until that takes effect, the RTB has said it will continue to “provide guidance” to landlords on the rules around RPZs and rent reviews, and take action when breaches are identified.

Separately, it has reminded landlords of changes to rental legislation that the Government has said will take effect next year.

For new tenancies starting from March 1 next year, all landlords will be able to set rent at market rates if the previous rent was below market level and the previous tenants left voluntarily or breached their tenant obligations.

“The new policies approved by Government will change rules on rent regulation and security of tenure for new tenancies created from 1st March 2026,” it said. “Under the changes announced, tenancies that are already in place will not be impacted.”