Rent Pressure Zones stopped operating on 28 February 2026. The national rent cap took over on 1 March 2026, one day later. Rent Pressure Zones worked off designated local electoral areas, so the limit followed the map. The national rent cap follows the tenancy instead, in every county in Ireland.
Under the national rent cap, rent may rise by no more than 2 per cent in a year. Where Consumer Price Index inflation sits below 2 per cent, that lower reading binds instead. A rent review can happen once in any twelve month period. Hous sets out the dates behind the 2 per cent cap and the twelve month rule.
What Ended on 28 February 2026 and What Began the Next Day?
The Rent Pressure Zones map ended on 28 February 2026 and the national rent cap took its place. Under Rent Pressure Zones, two similar streets could sit under different limits, depending on the local electoral area. From 1 March 2026 the 2 per cent cap covers private tenancies in every county. A tenancy created on or after 1 March 2026 carries a six year minimum duration.
| Date | What the rule sets | Who it binds |
|---|---|---|
| 28 February 2026 | Rent Pressure Zones end | Every previously designated area |
| 1 March 2026 | National rent cap begins | All private tenancies |
| 1 March 2026 | Six year minimum duration | Tenancies created from that day |
| 10 June 2025 | Construction start date | New apartments and student accommodation |
| 24 May 2026 | Building Energy Rating scale moves to 8 bands | Exemption claims counted in energy levels |
| 1 March 2029 | First reset to market rent | Student accommodation |
Two dates in that table reach past your own tenancy. 10 June 2025 is the construction start date for new apartments and student accommodation. 1 March 2029 is the first date student accommodation can reset to market rent.
How Much Can Rent Rise Under the National Cap?
The national rent cap allows 2 per cent, or less where Consumer Price Index inflation runs below 2 per cent. The Central Statistics Office publishes that twelve month Consumer Price Index change each month. Readings from July 2025 to May 2026 ran from 1.7 per cent to 3.6 per cent. The 2 per cent cap was the binding figure in 10 of the last 12 months.
- Find the date of the last rent setting or rent review, because the twelve month rule starts there
- Take the twelve month Consumer Price Index change published by the Central Statistics Office for that month
- Compare that Consumer Price Index reading with the 2 per cent cap and use the lower of the two
Hous keeps a page on what replaced Rent Pressure Zones, and each rule on the page names the published notice that produced it. The Hous rent increase calculator applies the 2 per cent cap and the twelve month rule to a pair of dates. The calculator runs inside your browser, and Hous does not receive what you enter. Hous publishes information about tenancy rules, not legal or tax advice, and is not connected to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
Which Tenancies Sit Outside the National Rent Cap?
The national rent cap carves out four categories of tenancy. The carve out follows the tenancy type, not the county or the town. Every other private tenancy sits inside the 2 per cent cap and the twelve month rule.
- Certain student accommodation, with 1 March 2029 set as the earliest reset to market rent
- Approved Housing Body tenancies
- Cost rental tenancies
- A room let inside the landlord’s own home
What Are the Four Exemption Pathways?
Four exemption pathways can lift a rent setting clear of the 2 per cent cap, and each rests on building work. The Hous rent exemption checker steps through all four pathways. An exemption claimed under any pathway covers the next rent setting or rent review only.
- A permanent extension adding at least 25 per cent to the floor area
- A Building Energy Rating that improves by 7 levels or more
- A permanent change to the internal layout
- Disability adaptation with an added room, needing 3 energy levels from D1 or lower and 2 levels from C3 or better
Why Does the Energy Rating Scale Change on 24 May 2026 Matter?
On 24 May 2026 the Building Energy Rating (BER) scale moved from 15 bands to 8 bands. Two exemption pathways are counted in energy levels, the 7 level improvement and the disability adaptation route. The Hous rent exemption checker reads each pathway against the BER scale that applied on the date. The checker reports what the rules say and guarantees no exemption result.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rent Pressure Zones stop applying?
Rent Pressure Zones finished on 28 February 2026. The national rent cap began the next day, 1 March 2026, and reaches all private tenancies. Rent Pressure Zones were tied to local electoral areas, so the limit followed the map. The national rent cap follows the tenancy, in every county in Ireland.
How often can rent be reviewed under the national cap?
A rent review can take place once in any twelve month period. The increase is capped at 2 per cent, or at the Consumer Price Index reading where that reading is lower. The Central Statistics Office publishes that twelve month change. Readings from July 2025 to May 2026 ran from 1.7 per cent to 3.6 per cent.
Which tenancies are outside the national rent cap?
The national rent cap carves out four categories. They are certain student accommodation, Approved Housing Body tenancies, cost rental tenancies, and a room in the landlord’s own home. Student accommodation has 1 March 2029 as the first date it can reset to market rent. The carve out follows the tenancy type, not the county.
What does the 24 May 2026 energy rating change mean for exemptions?
On 24 May 2026 the Building Energy Rating scale moved from 15 bands to 8 bands. Two exemption pathways are measured in energy levels, so the 7 level improvement is counted against the scale in force. The Hous rent exemption checker reads each pathway against that scale and names the published notice behind it.
