Rent prices in Ireland experienced a sharp increase in March 2026, coinciding with the implementation of new government rent reforms, according to property website Daft.ie. The reforms, which came into effect on 1 March, aimed to address housing affordability but have been followed by a notable rise in rental costs.
Daft.ie's latest report indicates that the average monthly rent nationwide rose by 2.5% in March compared to the previous month, reaching €1,850. This marks the largest monthly increase in over a year, with Dublin seeing a 3% rise to an average of €2,400 per month.
The government's reforms include measures such as rent caps and increased tenant protections, but critics argue they have not been sufficient to curb rising demand. Housing experts point to a shortage of supply as a key driver, with only 1,200 new rental listings added in March, down 15% from the same period last year.
Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien stated that the government is monitoring the situation and plans to introduce additional measures to boost housing supply. However, tenant advocacy groups have called for more aggressive action to prevent further rent hikes.
