Increasing Rent

Under Section 19 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 landlords cannot charge more than the open market rate for rented residential accommodation.

The provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act only apply to mainstream private rented housing not local authority housing.

As a landlord you cannot review the rent more than once a year unless the accommodation has changed substantially. This might, for example, constitute a complete refurbishment or extension to the property.

The tenant(s) can request that you review the rent if:

• They believe it is more than the current market rate for the property or
• They request a review and more than a year has passed.

If there is any dispute about the amount of rent or about arrears of rent, either side can refer the dispute to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).

Section 19 of the Private Residential Tenancies Act 2004 defines the open market rate as “the rent which a willing tenant not already in occupation would give and a willing landlord would take for the dwelling”.