Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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604. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to list those areas in County Laois that are in the rent pressure zones and the annual percentage increase in rents allowed in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16709/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) were introduced under Part 3 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. The Planning and Development Act 2024, extended the operation of these rent controls until 31 December 2025.

To address the rent affordability challenges building on foot of the unexpectedly fast rising inflation rate, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 provides, from 11 December 2021, a cap of 2% per annum pro rata on rent increases in RPZs, where the inflation rate is higher. In effect, this means that rents in RPZs may only increase by a maximum of 2% per annum pro rata during times of higher inflation.

The areas of County Laois that are currently in Rent Pressure Zones are Graiguecullen-Portarlington; and Portlaoise.