Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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330. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has conducted an assessment of the extent to which recent tenancy law reforms have contributed to landlords exiting the private rental market; the findings of such an assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50329/26]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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333. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if, given Residential Tenancies Board data showing a record number of notices of termination issued during Q1 2026, he will undertake a review of the impact of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 on landlord participation in the private rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50362/26]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 333 together.

In line with a commitment in Housing for All, a review of the Private Rental Market was undertaken by my Department and published in July 2024, which included significant consultation with stakeholders. It set out an overview of the rental market in Ireland, including the composition of the market and trends in rent levels, set out suggested policy objectives and considered a range of potential avenues for policy change to support these objectives.

Following on from this review, the Housing Agency was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive review of the Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) rent control system. The key focus of the review was to assess the operation of RPZs since their introduction and consider their impact on the market and relevant stakeholders, including the retention of landlords and new investment. It considered whether RPZs should continue without change, or be removed, modified or replaced. The review, which was extensive and detailed, also included options and recommendations in relation to potential amendments to rent control.

The review, published on the Housing Agency website, involved engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, including investors, representatives of landlord and tenant advocacy groups, academics and the RTB. The Housing Agency submitted its report to my Department at the end of April 2025 and advised that its preferred recommendation was to modify the current RPZ rent controls.

On 10 June 2025, the Government approved policy measures including modifications to rent controls, which came into effect on 1 March 2026, in order to boost investment in the supply of homes available for rent and keep existing landlords in the market. The changes agreed also provide significantly stronger tenancy protections and are finely balanced between the interests of tenants and the need for further private investment in the rental market across the country, taking account of stakeholder engagement.

Multiple expert reports, including those from the Housing Agency, the Department of Finance, the ESRI, the OECD, and the IMF, agreed that the previous RPZ system was a major obstacle to increasing rental supply. The changes were introduced in order to attract increased investment in the rental market and thereby increase the supply of properties available for renters.

The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 came into effect on 1 March 2026, introducing a new national rent control for all tenancies, which limits rent increases to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) up to a maximum of 2%. For new build apartments and student-specific accommodation, however, rent increases are capped at the level of inflation (CPI) only. These changes were introduced to promote greater investment in the rental market and to increase the supply of rental properties. The Act also provides significant improvements in security of tenure for renters.

While the latest data published by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows that an increase of Notice of Terminations (NoTs) were received in Q1 2026, it should be noted that registered private tenancies rose by 2.44% annually to 246,477 in Q1 2026. This is an increase of 1.2% from Q4 2025.

It is also worth noting that there were 16,548 new tenancy registrations confirmed for Q1 2026. This figure serves to highlight the consistent churn within the rental market.

The latest RTB data also shows a growing number of landlords in the sector, the number of private landlords rose by 1.3% annually to 105,847, indicating increased participation in the rental market.

The Government remains focused on growing the supply of much-needed rental accommodation by keeping existing landlords in the market and attracting new landlords, while ensuring strong and balanced tenancy protections for both tenants and landlords. Delivering Homes, Building Communities recognises that the rental market is an important element of a well-functioning housing system.

I will continue to work with my colleagues in Government to implement changes as necessary for the sector during this Government's term. My Department and the RTB keep the operation of the RTA and the residential rental sector under review and will work to ensure that an appropriately balanced policy and legislative framework is maintained.