IPOA calls on Government to accept important amendments tabled by TDs to Residential Tenancies Bill 2026 to address concerns of local landlords
Warnings issued that the Bill could trigger landlord exits and sharp fall in rental supply
The Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) has warned that forthcoming rental market reforms risk reducing supply and accelerating the exit of private landlords. The organisation has welcomed a number of the amendments submitted by TDs for Committee Stage of the bill, stating that their adoption would address key concerns of local landlords, protect private investment, and help retain existing supply.
Mary Conway, Chairperson of the IPOA, said: “In its current form, the Bill risks reducing property values, restricting landlords’ ability to manage and sell their properties according to their needs, and creating more confusion for both tenants and landlords. The rental market will suffer because of the reforms, with many landlords considering exiting the market. Fewer landlords will ultimately mean fewer properties available to tenants and less choice in the market.
The IPOA welcomes the amendments submitted by TDs, as these would have a positive impact on the outcome of the Bill and the concerns of local landlords will be addressed.”
Key proposed amendments include:
- Section 14(4) sets out ‘hardship clauses’, but these would not allow the family of a deceased landlord to end a tenancy in order to sell the property. The IPOA argues this is an infringement of property rights and proposes extending the hardship provisions to families of deceased landlords so they can conclude a tenancy and sell at market value.
- The Bill could leave many ongoing tenancies permanently below market rent, with landlords unable to adjust rents over time. The IPOA proposes a structured reset allowing rent increases of 4% annually for four years, returning to market rent in year five.
- The Bill excludes landlords operating through companies from protections for ‘small landlords’, even where they fall below the tenancy threshold, creating a conflict between access to tax structures and legal protections. The IPOA proposes extending small landlord protections to company-held tenancies that remain under the threshold.
The reforms could significantly devalue rental properties by preventing sales with vacant possession in many circumstances. Properties sold with a sitting tenant typically achieve lower prices because owner-occupiers cannot compete to purchase them. This is expected to disproportionately impact private landlords, who may be forced to sell at a discount if they need access to capital and cannot wait years for a tenancy to end naturally.
The IPOA urges the Government to recognise the need to alter the Bill and calls on TDs to back the amendments to prevent further loss of rental supply, restore confidence among local landlords, and ensure tenants have greater choice and availability in the rental market.
A copy of the proposed amendments can be found in the “Submissions” tab of the Members Area.