Eviction notices fell sharply in Ireland in second quarter, RTB says

Landlords issued 4,031 termination notices between April and June, down 42.9% from the first three months of 2026. The Residential Tenancies Board said the fall offered signs that the rental market was adjusting to reforms introduced in March.

The new laws aim to give tenants greater protection. Property owners had warned that the rules could push some landlords out of the market. RTB director Rosemary Steen said the sharp first-quarter increase in landlords leaving now appeared temporary rather than a sustained trend, although the next quarterly figures should provide a clearer picture.

Rents for new tenancies continued to rise. The national average increased 9.1% over the year to €1,839 a month. In Cork, Limerick and Galway, increases were particularly high, with new rents in Galway city passing €2,000 for the first time. Under the national rent control system, landlords can raise rent once a year by 2% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower.

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continued signs of stabilisation and adjustment

Rachel Slaymaker, a research officer at the ESRI, said it “is too early to say how much of this is an initial reaction to the new regulations or to what extent”. Rents for existing tenancies rose at a more moderate annual rate of 4.2%.

The RTB recorded 306,313 tenancies nationwide, supported by strong growth in cost-rental and approved housing body tenancies. The number of landlords edged up to 105,555. More than half of landlords who issued termination notices said they planned to sell, while landlords with more than 100 properties accounted for 15.5% of private tenancies nationally and almost one-third in Dublin. From Sept. 14, the RTB will gain new powers to fine landlords for six breaches, including failing to register a tenancy, charging rent above the legal limit and incorrectly serving notices.

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is too early to say how much of this is an initial reaction to the new regulations or to what extent