RTB releases Director’s Quarterly Update – May 2026

14 May 2026: The Irish rental market showed early signs of stabilisation and growth in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest data from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). 

Registered private tenancies and landlord numbers increased year-on-year to the highest level since the Profile of the Register data series began. Notices of Termination peaked in February but trended downwards in March. 

 The data, published today as part of the RTB Director’s Quarterly Update, draws on RTB tenancy registration and administrative data to provide the most comprehensive picture available of Ireland’s rental sector. 

 Profile of the Register – Q1 2026  

• Registered private and cost rental tenancies increased by 2.4% year-on-year to 246,477 in Q1 2026, the highest level since the data series began. Of these, 5,226 were cost rental tenancies which increased by 87% year-on-year. 

• The number of private landlords rose by 1.3% annually to 105,847, indicating increased participation in the rental market. 

• Approved Housing Body tenancies grew by almost 12% year-on-year to 57,330, the highest level since the data series began. 

 Notices of Termination – Q1 2026 

The RTB received 7,062 Notices of Termination in Q1 2026. While this is the highest quarterly figure since the data series began, the data shows a downward trend following a February peak. 

• 7,062 Notices of Termination received in Q1 2026, up 51% from Q1 2025.  

• 1,998 (28%) were received in January, 3,138 (44%) were received in February and 1,926 (27%) were received in March. 

• 4,259 or 60% of the Notices of Termination in Q1 2026 were issued as the landlord intends to sell the property. 

 RTB / ESRI Quarterly Rent Index – Q4 2025 

The latest RTB / ESRI Quarterly Rent Index shows that rents continued to increase in late 2025, though the rate of growth has remained relatively consistent since mid-2024. 

• The standardised average rent for new tenancies rose by 5% year-on-year to €1,755 in Q4 2025. 

• The standardised average rent for existing tenancies increased by 4.4% year‑on‑year to €1,503. 

• On average, sitting tenants now pay €252 less per month than new tenants. 

 RTB Dispute Resolution and Compliance Data 

• Applications for dispute resolution in Q1 2026 increased by 17.6% year-on-year, signalling increased pressure on RTB dispute services. 

• The RTB has published 19 sanctions with a total value of €78,849 in 2026. The RTB has a further 111 completed investigations that are awaiting court confirmation of sanctions.  

• The RTB issued 151 compliance notices for failure to register in Q1 2026 and 21 court summonses. 

• The RTB successfully prosecuted 6 unregistered landlords in Q1 2026. 

 Commenting on the quarterly update, RTB Director Rosemary Steen said: 

“The data for the first quarter of 2026 shows continued resilience in Ireland’s rental sector, with ongoing growth in registered tenancies. We have seen this growth across all tenancy types, including private and cost rental homes, and an increase in landlord numbers. While we remain attentive to pressures reflected in Notice of Termination figures, there are indications that termination notices are now on a downward trend following a notable peak in February.” 

 “Our engagements with rental sector stakeholders in recent weeks have shown there is a commitment to regulatory compliance and we continue to provide guidance to ensure landlords understand and comply with new rental rules. We also continue to monitor RTB datasets and will be reviewing rent setting data to ensure that landlords do not illegally re-set to market rent.” 

Commenting on the RTB / ESRI Rent Index, ESRI Research Officer Dr Rachel Slaymaker said: 
“Data for the final quarter of 2025 indicate that while average rents for both new and existing tenancies continue to rise, the pace of growth has remained broadly stable at the national level over the past seven quarters.”