Government Reforms to the Rental Sector – Starting 1 March 2026

On 10 June 2025, the Government approved new policies to strengthen rent controls and tenancy protections for new tenancies created from 1 March 2026. These changes are based on recommendations from the Housing Agency’s Review of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs).

Tenancies that are already in place will not be affected by the new protections.

The goal is to improve security of tenure for tenants while also encouraging more private investment in the rental market. Legislation to implement these reforms is being prepared and will be published later this year.

Press Release: Government to introduce major reforms to the rental sector

Stronger Tenancy Protections

• New tenancies created from 1 March 2026 will be subject to Tenancies of Minimum Duration (TMD).
• These will be rolling 6-year tenancies, offering tenants greater stability.
• During the 6-year period, landlords will only be able to end the tenancy in specific situations, such as:
  • The tenant is not meeting their obligations.
  • The property no longer suits the tenant’s needs.
• Smaller landlords (with 3 or fewer tenancies) will be allowed to terminate the tenancy at any time in the following cases:
  • Financial hardship requiring sale of the property.
  • The landlord or a close family member needs to live in the property.

At the End of Each 6-Year Term

• Smaller landlords may end the tenancy using existing legal grounds, including:
  • Selling the property.
  • Occupation by landlord or family.
  • Major renovations.
  • Changing the use of the property.

Larger Landlords (4+ tenancies)

• Will not be allowed to end tenancies for sale, renovation, occupation, or change of use.
• May still end tenancies for:
  • Tenants not meeting their obligations.
  • Property no longer suitable for tenant needs.

• For new tenancies from 1 March 2026, all landlords will be able to set rent at market rates if the previous rent was below market level, and the previous tenant left voluntarily or breached their tenant obligations. Thereafter, rent increases will be capped at the rate of inflation according to CPI or 2%, whichever is lower.
• For existing tenancies (in place on 28 February 2026), rent increases will be capped at the rate of inflation according to CPI or 2%, whichever is lower.

For further information on these upcoming changes, please see : Rental market reforms information