Ireland’s private‑rented sector has entered a new era, with key changes to the Residential Tenancies regime haven taken effect from 1 March 2026.  At Oates Breheny Property, our in‑house rental‑market expert Sinead Walsh – Associate Director and Rental Manager – walks landlords and tenants through what these reforms mean.

Stability for Tenants

From 1 March 2026, new tenancies are structured around six‑year minimum security‑of‑tenure agreements, significantly reducing the risk of “no‑fault” evictions, particularly for larger landlords.  Rent rises are now capped in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a cap of around 2% per year during periods of high inflation, giving tenants greater certainty over their housing costs.Sinead notes that these changes are designed to address housing‑insecurity in the private sector, but also require landlords to plan finances more carefully around longer‑term tenancies and inflation‑linked adjustments.

New Rules for Landlords

Large landlords – typically defined as those with four or more rental properties – face stricter eviction rules and must now plan for full‑market rent resets every six years rather than at each tenancy change.  The government has also introduced a public rent‑price register, which will increase transparency and put downward pressure on demand for overpriced properties.

“For buy‑to‑let investors, these reforms mean a shift from short‑term churn to longer‑term income stability,” explains Sinead. “Property managers now need to focus on compliance, accurate documentation, and clear communication with tenants to stay within the new legal framework.”

Practical Next Steps with Oates Breheny?

If you’re a landlord adapting to longer‑term letting agreements, Oates Breheny Property can help.  Our team led by  Sinead will ensure that all rental agreements, inventories, and compliance checks are fully aligned with the updated Residential Tenancies Act 2026.

Contact our rental team today 071 9140404