The cabinet have initially approved a new bill that will prevent landlords from increasing rent prices by more than 4% in rent pressure zones.
In a motion submitted by the under pressure Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, landlords will no longer be able to issue major increases to tenants living in pressure zones across the country
Mr Murphy who has been heavily criticised for his handling of the current housing crisis, also announced that the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) will be the authority to launch internal investigations if a landlord is found in breach of the new laws.
Under the new laws landlords found guilty of increasing rent prices would face criminal charges in the form of a major fine, possibly worth €15,000.
It is hoped that the new Bill which is expected to be rushed through the Seanad will be implemented before the Dáil summer break.