Rent Increases and Rent Pressure Zones
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance.
Irish National Law
What is this right?
Rent can only be increased in line with strict rules:
- Rent can only be reviewed once every 12 months (once every 24 months for new tenancies in Rent Pressure Zones — RPZs).
- In a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ), rent increases are capped at the lower of 2% per year or the rate of general inflation (HICP). Most of Dublin, Cork, Galway, and other urban areas are RPZs.
- Outside RPZs, rent must not exceed the market rate — the landlord must provide evidence of comparable rents in the area.
- Your landlord must give you 90 days' written notice of a rent increase.
The rent increase notice must state the new rent, the date it takes effect, the current rent, and how the new rent was calculated.
When does it apply?
- You are a tenant in a property covered by the Residential Tenancies Acts.
- You can check if your area is an RPZ at rtb.ie/rent-pressure-zones.
- If your property is in an RPZ and was previously exempt (e.g., new build or substantially refurbished), check whether the exemption still applies — many exemptions have been removed or narrowed.
- The RTB maintains a Rent Register — you can check the rent on comparable properties.
What should you do?
- Check whether your area is an RPZ — if so, the 2% cap applies.
- Review the notice — if it does not meet all legal requirements, it may be invalid.
- If you believe the increase is excessive, you can refer a dispute to the RTB within 90 days.
- The RTB can determine the correct rent and order the landlord to refund any overpayment.
- Contact Threshold for free advice on whether your rent increase is lawful.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't just accept a large increase — check whether it complies with the RPZ rules or the market rate.
- Don't stop paying rent because you disagree with an increase — pay the current rent and dispute the increase through the RTB.
- Don't assume all areas are RPZs — some rural areas are not designated, and different rules apply.
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