Government’s tenancy reforms will ‘throw renters to the wolves’, say opposition

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association

The opposition has said a government Bill changing rent and tenancy rules will be “devastating” for renters and will see rent costs “soar”.

Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit have accused the Government of attempting to “ram” through its rental reforms Bill on Wednesday.

The Residential Tenancies Bill will introduce tenancies of a minimum duration of six years and establish a rental price register for the first time.

The Bill overhauled Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), extending nationwide a cap on rents for existing tenancies at the rate of inflation or at 2%, whichever is lower.

Micheál Martin can't handle the truth. His rent hike bill will increase rents by up to €5000 a year for 60,000 people. This is a recipe for disaster and will drive more and more young people to Australia and beyond.

If Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael gave a damn about renters they… pic.twitter.com/qUeOYbFlj2

— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) February 11, 2026

New six-year minimum tenancies on offer from next month have been criticised for allowing landlords to raise rents every six years.

The Bill is before the Dáil on Wednesday evening; a protest is to be held outside Leinster House at the same time.

At Leaders’ Questions, the opposition accused the Government of forcing through legislation too quickly.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the Bill would “throw renters to the wolves” and would be “devastating”.

“Previously in rent pressure zones, any increase was set at the rate of inflation or a 2% increase, whichever was the lower. But you’re tearing that up and you’re opening up the floodgates,” she said.

“From March 1, you will allow rent for new tenancies to be reset to full market rate, a hammer blow for ripped-off renters and a gift for big landlords and vulture funds.”

She said it would force young people to consider emigrating and push more families into homelessness.

She said the protection offered by six-year tenancies would offer no greater protection to people who moved frequently for education or work, such as students, apprentices, trainees, nurses and teachers.

“Up to 60,000 renters will be hit by a huge rent hike every single year. That’s the hard truth,” she said.

“The rent hikes will be off the charts – in Galway city, for example, renters will fork out 5,292 euros more per annum.

“Here in Dublin, it will be an extra 3,516 euros a year. In Cork city, in your own neck of the woods, an extra 3,336 euros a year. That’s on top of staggering rents already.

“Most tenancies don’t last six years. They average at three-and-a-half and 25% of tenancies every single year are brand new. Answer that.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Housing Commission recommended that rent pressure zones be reformed and the Housing Agency then recommended “the nature of the changes that the minister has introduced”.

“The six years gives a security of tenure that we never had in this country before, and aligns us more with European rental systems in terms of giving tenants greater security and greater protection,” he said.

Martin said the Government’s proposals were opposed by landlords and property owners “who want to get rid of this” and do not want it to pass.

“The bottom line here – through the chair – is we need supply, and we do have to have a rental framework that facilitates investment, that facilitates greater supply of housing, and what you’re ignoring is a half-a-million people currently renting in Ireland today will not be impacted by these measures, because there’s a lot of protections built in here – a National Rent Protection zone is there at 2%, the ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute) recommended 4% actually.

“So these are modest measures designed to get clarity, stability, but above all, to bring supply.

“Because if you don’t have supply, prices will rise without question, and you have never answered the question of supply.”

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said that the measures would see monthly rents for new tenancies “soaring up to 2,500 and 3000 euro all over the country”.

“That is 30,000 euro or more every year in after-tax income that renters will be expected to pay,” she said.

Cairns said that while her party welcomed improved security for renters and the establishment of a rent price register, the impact of these would be “completely swallowed up” by a surge in prices.

“This isn’t just a housing disaster, it is a social catastrophe,” she said.

Martin said: “The only effective way to moderate pricing in the rental market is to increase supply. The Government is biting the bullet, is taking action here.

“The issue is, we do need private sector investment, which your party has a huge problem with.

“Social Democrats hate the private sector. You don’t believe it has any role in housing.”