Tenants across West Cork now enjoy the same rent increase protections as the rest of the country following landmark legislation that came into effect on Friday, 20 June 2025.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025 extends Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) protections nationwide for the first time in the State’s history, meaning Skibbereen and Bantry local electoral areas are now covered by rent control measures.
Under the new system, rent increases are capped at the level of inflation to a maximum of 2% for existing tenancies. This means landlords can only increase rents by either the rate of inflation or 2%, whichever is lower.
The extension of current Pressure Zones to a nationwide rent control system was one of the recommendations in the Review of Rent Pressure Zones Report and forms part of a suite of rental sector reforms announced by the government.
Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, said:
“Protecting renters is essential in the moves we make now towards increased supply of housing. My Department has moved swiftly to implement national rent controls, expanding the Rent Pressure Zone framework across the entire country, in advance of sweeping changes to our rental system, and a strengthening of rental rights, from March 2026.”
The Cork South West TD, who represents both Skibbereen and Bantry areas, emphasised the immediate impact for local tenants:
“Critically, this new law immediately provides all renters with the restrictions on rent increases currently found as part of rent pressure zones, preventing increases to their rents of more than 2% or inflation, whichever is lower. These changes collectively ensure that renters in West Cork, regardless of where they live in the county, now enjoy greater stability, fairer treatment, and stronger legal protections.”
Minister O’Sullivan stressed the balanced approach being taken:
“The measures we are introducing strike a fair balance, and one that provides much needed certainty for everyone. We have to strike a balance between landlords, renters, and the urgent need to invigorate more supply of homes, including places to rent as well as places to buy.”
The legislation represents an interim measure ahead of more comprehensive rental sector reforms. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025 provides for the deeming of non-RPZs to be RPZs from the day after enactment until 28 February 2026, and a two-month extension to existing Rent Pressure Zones until the same date.
The changes ensure that renters in West Cork, regardless of where they live in the county, now have the same legal protections and rental security as tenants in other parts of Ireland that were already covered by RPZ designations.