The Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) has said the latest data from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) demonstrates the damaging impact of the Government’s recent Rental Tenancies Bill on the private rental sector and reinforces the urgent need for targeted measures to prevent further loss of rental supply.
According to the RTB Quarterly Update for Q1 2026, there were 7,062 Notices of Termination issued in the first three months of 2026, representing an increase of over 50% compared to the same period in 2025. The figures also show that 60% of Notices of Termination were issued due to landlords intending to sell the property.
Mary Conway, Chair of the IPOA stated:
- “Today’s RTB figures clearly show the destabilising effect the Government’s recent Residential Tenancies Bill is having on the private rental market. IPOA repeatedly warned that these changes would create further uncertainty for landlords and accelerate their exit from the sector.”
- “The fact that more than 7,000 Notices of Termination were issued in a single quarter – the highest level on record – should be a wake-up call for the Government. The continued trend of landlords leaving the market to sell their properties is deeply concerning and further reduces rental supply at a time when demand is already at unprecedented levels.”
- “The Government’s rental reforms have further undermined confidence among small and medium-sized landlords, many of whom no longer see a viable future in remaining in the sector. Landlords are being asked to operate under rising compliance obligations, increasing restrictions, and a tax regime that in many cases leaves them paying effective tax rates of over 50% on rental income.”
- “The reality is that landlords are part of the solution, not the problem. Without private landlords, there is no functioning rental market. Yet current policy is actively discouraging participation in the sector and accelerating the withdrawal of rental properties from the market.”
- “Budget 2027 represents a critical opportunity for Government to stabilise the sector before further damage is done. Unless meaningful action is taken, the continued loss of landlords from the market will further deepen Ireland’s housing crisis.”