Controversial new rent regulations take effect this week..
The legislation has been brought forward by the Government, which argues it is required in order to boost housing supply, reports RTE.
However, opposition parties have criticised the measures, claiming they will result in a sharp rise in rents.
Under the new law, if a property becomes vacant from today, the landlord can set the rent at open market levels rather than being restricted to the current 2% cap on increases, reports RTE.
All new tenancy agreements will also be required to run for a minimum term of six years.
The State’s Residential Tenancies Board said the measures provide “stronger” protections for tenants, reports RTE.
Large landlords will only be permitted to evict tenants during that six-year period if the tenant fails to meet their obligations, such as not paying rent, or if the dwelling is no longer appropriate for the tenant’s needs.
Where the property is owned by a smaller landlord, defined as having between one and three tenancies, they may also serve notice if they or a close family member require the property, or if they need to sell due to financial hardship, reports RTE.
At the conclusion of a six-year cycle, smaller landlords may also evict in order to sell the property, carry out substantial renovations, or change how the property is used.
There will be no changes for landlords or tenants whose agreements were in place before today, reports RTE.
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