Living and renting in Ireland: the new rules of 2026
For tenancies from 1 March 2026 new rules apply in Ireland: a six-year tenancy period, a rent increase of at most 2% or inflation, and larger landlords who may no longer end a tenancy to sell. The flip side: if you leave yourself, the next rent may go to market level. Plus what a new tenancy costs on average, the RTB check and the legal limit on what you pay upfront.
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Yes, you can rent in Ireland without an Irish history. For tenancies from 1 March 2026 you are in a strong position:
- a six-year tenancy period;
- a rent increase of at most 2% a year, or inflation if lower;
- a larger landlord may no longer evict you to sell or move in.
The price is high: a new tenancy cost €1,755 a month on average nationally at the end of 2025.
The trap is your own departure. If you leave yourself, the landlord may bring the rent for the next tenant to market level. Moving within Ireland is therefore more expensive than staying. Choose your first home as if you'll stay for years.
What does renting cost?
The rent index of the regulator RTB and the research institute ESRI gives the national averages for the fourth quarter of 2025.
| Measure | Amount or growth |
|---|---|
| New tenancy, national average | €1,755 a month |
| Growth in new tenancies, year on year | 5% |
| Existing tenancy, national average | €1,503 a month |
| Growth in existing tenancies, year on year | 4.4% |
The difference between the two is the story: as a newcomer you enter at the expensive end by definition.
What changed on 1 March 2026?
The rules apply to new tenancies from that date. Older tenancies fall under the old rules.
- A six-year tenancy period. Every new tenancy becomes a tenancy of minimum duration once you have rented for six months without a valid notice of termination. It lasts six years and then renews in new six-year periods.
- Rent increases capped. The landlord may review the rent once a year, by at most inflation or 2%, whichever is lower. For new-build apartments with a commencement notice from 10 June 2025 only inflation is the limit.
- Larger landlords ending a tenancy: hardly any more. A landlord with four or more tenancies, or a company, may no longer end a tenancy to sell, to move in themselves or with family, to renovate or to change the use. A smaller landlord has more room within the six years, for example in case of hardship or own use.
- You are not bound to six years. You can always give notice, in writing and with the right notice period.
When may the rent go to market level?
With a new tenancy the landlord may reset the rent to market level if the previous rent was below it and there is one of these reasons:
- you left voluntarily;
- you didn't meet your obligations;
- the home no longer suited you;
- the six years were up.
They must then show you and the RTB how they calculated the new rent, with three comparable homes from the RTB's new rent register. After a no-fault eviction they may not reset the rent.
A second move within Ireland costs you the old rent. As long as you stay, your rent rises by at most 2% a year. If you leave, your next home starts at market price. So rather take a month longer for your first home than having to search again after a year.
How much may a landlord ask upfront?
At most two months' rent: a deposit of one month and one month's rent in advance. That limit applies to all tenancies since 9 August 2021. Whoever asks for six months in advance is asking for something that isn't allowed. For a deposit to hold the property, the holding deposit, always ask for a written receipt. That deposit is often not refundable if you don't take the property after all.
What do you check with the RTB?
Every landlord must register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board within one month of the start, and again every year after. They pay €40 a year for it. The RTB keeps a public register. On its website you look up with an Eircode (the Irish postcode) or an address whether a home is registered. You also have the right to request a copy of the registration of your own tenancy.
The RTB advises you as a tenant, before you sign:
- to inspect the home properly;
- to have a written agreement and an inventory with dated photos;
- to have a receipt for your deposit.
The landlord must announce a rent review at least 90 days in advance.
What does the energy rating say?
Every rented home must have a Building Energy Rating (BER), and you take it into account when comparing two homes. In the second half of 2025 Ireland had the highest household electricity price in the EU: €40.42 per 100 kWh, against an EU average of €28.96. A cheap rent with a poor rating can therefore turn out more expensive.
In Vertrekklaar this is phase 4 of 5 of the journey, step 4.1: the same steps, but for your situation — in your order, tickable, and with the deadlines watched. See the whole journey to Ireland or go straight to step 4.1 in the open plan.
What this rests on
The facts in this article come from these official pages. Rules change. When in doubt, go by the source, not this article.
- Citizens Information — the new rental rules since 1 March 2026 — citizensinformation.ie
- RTB/ESRI — the rent index with the national averages — esri.ie
- RTB — registration of tenancies — rtb.ie
- RTB — when a tenancy must be registered — rtb.ie
- RTB — the registration fees for the landlord — rtb.ie
- Citizens Information — looking for a home, deposit and rent in advance — citizensinformation.ie
- Citizens Information — tenants' rights and obligations — citizensinformation.ie
- Eurostat — household electricity prices, second half of 2025 — ec.europa.eu
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