Ireland’s housing crisis is a deeply emotional and often polarizing issue, with rent pressure zones (RPZs) introduced in 2016 as a well-intentioned response to spiraling rents. These zones, which cap rent increases at a set percentage annually (currently 2%), were designed to protect tenants from sudden and unaffordable hikes. But nearly a decade later, it’s worth asking: has this approach outlived its effectiveness? Increasingly, the answer is yes — and it’s time to consider easing RPZ legislation for the benefit of both renters and the broader housing ecosystem.
The root of Ireland’s housing crisis isn’t greedy landlords — it’s the chronic undersupply of homes. RPZs, while aiming to shield tenants, do not address the fundamental shortage of available rental properties. If anything, they may be exacerbating it. Many private landlords, particularly small-scale ones, have found the RPZ rules overly restrictive and financially unsustainable. The result? A mass exodus of landlords from the market.
This shrinking supply has left fewer homes for renters, tightening competition and pushing up rents on newly available properties. Ironically, in trying to make renting more affordable, RPZs may be contributing to the scarcity that drives prices up in the first place.
To resolve Ireland’s housing crisis, we need more investment in rental accommodation, not less. Easing RPZ legislation would send a clear signal to private investors and developers: the rental market is viable and worth supporting.
Institutional investors, who are increasingly seen as villains in the housing debate, actually play a crucial role in scaling up supply — especially for new-build apartments. But overly rigid rent caps deter them from entering or expanding in Irish markets. A more balanced, flexible framework would attract the kind of investment needed to boost long-term supply and improve housing quality.
Easing RPZ legislation doesn’t mean abandoning tenant protections. On the contrary, easing can be paired with smarter policies that still safeguard renters — such as longer lease terms, enhanced transparency around rent setting, and targeted supports for vulnerable tenants.
What’s needed is a more nuanced approach that acknowledges regional differences and market dynamics. One-size-fits-all caps may work in certain high-pressure urban areas but be unnecessary or even harmful in others. A more flexible system could allow for local discretion while preserving fair treatment for tenants.
A healthy rental market requires balance: between tenants’ need for stability and landlords’ need for fair returns. If we tip too far in one direction, we risk destabilizing the whole system. RPZs have provided short-term relief, but they are not a sustainable long-term solution.
By easing RPZ legislation — while continuing to support tenants in other meaningful ways — Ireland can foster a more dynamic, responsive, and ultimately more humane rental market. The goal should not be to freeze rents indefinitely, but to create a system where housing is accessible, investment is encouraged, and the market functions efficiently for everyone involved.
It’s time for a decisive, forward-looking conversation — one that acknowledges where RPZs have helped, but also where they are holding us back. Easing the legislation may just be the bold step Ireland needs to unlock lasting progress.