Ireland Updates Rental Laws with Six-Year Tenancies
Ireland's mandatory six-year tenancies and 2% rent cap provide significantly more housing security and cost protection for expats living in the country long-term.
Ireland Updates Rental Laws with Six-Year Tenancies
Ireland recently overhauled its rental market, moving away from temporary Rent Pressure Zones toward a permanent national system. Under the Residential Tenancies Bill 2026, all new private rentals starting after March 1, 2026, now operate on mandatory six-year rolling cycles. These tenancies automatically renew unless a landlord has specific, narrow grounds for termination.
The legislation also introduces a nationwide cap on annual rent increases. Landlords can only raise rent by the lower of 2% or the current CPI inflation rate. While this provides predictability for long-term residents, there is a catch: at the end of each six-year cycle, or when a property is first listed, landlords can reset the price to current market rates using the RTB Rent Register for comparisons.
Who is affected
These changes primarily impact expats and digital nomads planning to stay in Ireland for more than six months. If you are signing a standard residential lease, you gain significantly more protection against no-fault evictions and sudden price hikes.
However, short-term travelers staying in hotels, Airbnbs, or guesthouses for less than six months are not covered by these regulations. Nomads who prefer flexibility without the commitment of a six-year cycle may find co-living spaces or monthly rental platforms more suitable, as they bypass the Tenancy of Mandatory Duration (TMD) rules.
What to do
If you are moving to Ireland for a long-term stint, keep these practical steps in mind:
- Verify that your landlord has registered the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), which is a legal requirement.
- Use the official RTB Rent Calculator to ensure any proposed annual increase stays within the 2% or CPI limit.
- If a landlord attempts a market rent reset, ask for proof of three comparable properties in the same area with similar BER ratings.
- Check the construction date of your building; apartments built after June 10, 2025, follow CPI only and are exempt from the 2% cap.
Stay informed on the latest nomad news to see how these housing shifts impact your cost of living.
Read our full Ireland guide for the complete picture.