The number of eviction notices issued by landlords rose by 50% in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2025 as new rental rules came into force.
The new data, from the state's rent regulatory body, show that there were 7,062 notices of terminations in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 4,693 in 2025.
The Residential Tenancies Board figures also show that the number of private landlords rose by 1.3% annually to over 105,000, indicating, the RTB says, increased participation in the rental market.
The RTB has also said that the number of terminations in the first three months of 2026 represents the highest quarterly figures recorded, but that they show a downward trend following a February peak.
The figures show there were 1,998 notices of termination in January, an increase to 3,138 in February, before dropping back to 1,926 in March.
A total of 60% of the terminations were issued as the landlord intended to sell the property.
The new figures overlap with new rental rules which were introduced, two months ago, on 1 March.
It means that if a property is vacant the landlord can set the rent at market rates instead of increases being capped at 2%.
The new rental rules also mean that if a landlord takes on new tenants, they must be given a six-year lease.
At the time, the Government argued that new laws were necessary to increase the supply of housing.
However, the changes were criticised by opposition parties who claimed they would lead to a significant increase in rents.
Property owners had warned the new laws were forcing some landlords to leave the market.
Today's figures show that the standardised average rent for new tenancies now stands at €1,755, up 5% annually.
By county, it was highest in Dublin, at €2,322.
The data also show that the number of registered private tenancies rose by 1.4% annually, with the strongest growth rates seen in Approved Housing Body tenancies which increased by 11.9%.
RTB Director Rosemary Steen said she raised particular concern around Limerick, where the board is seeing new rents being set at around 12% of an increase and that is a cause of concern.
Speaking on RTÉ's News At One, Ms Steen said the figure is very high and that the RTB needed to do particular work to understand the situation around Limerick.
She added that the figures referred to in the rent index by the RTB are in relation to rent increases in the last quarter of 2025 and therefore do not reflect the recent changes in rental laws, which came into effect from 1 March.
Limerick TD Conor Sheehan said the 12% rent increase recorded by the RTB in Limerick is "extremely concerning".
He said if rents continue to rise, Limerick will never get the level of institutional investment that is stimulating development in Dublin.
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Damning indictment of Govt policies
The 50% rise in evictions is a damning indictment of the Government's housing policies, the Dáil has heard.
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty said people are being left with no where to go and it is unconscionable.
He said there are rent hikes of up to 25% at the same time, which is putting pressure on people during a cost-of-living crisis.
"You are presiding over the highest eviction rate since the famine," Deputy Doherty said.
He described the change to tenancy rules introduced on 1 March as a "charter for rent hikes" and urged Government to reverse it.
Tánaiste Simon Harris highlighted a figure of a 39% decrease in termination notices in March compared to the previous month.
He said there more more landlords, more homes and more tenancies in the market today than there were this time last year.
"That is not to say that we are not in the midst of a housing emergency," he said, adding that more than 500 people buy their first home every week, with 214,000 homes built over the last decade.
More than 500 people buy their first home every week and 241,000 homes have been built over the last decade, he told the Dáil.
Sinn Féin's Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said the dramatic increase in eviction notices is deeply concerning.
"It is a direct result of the Government’s disastrous changes to rent pressure zone rules earlier this year," he said.
"Thousands of renters are now facing eviction at the very time that Government has allowed landlords charge new tenants even higher rents."
Mr Ó Broin urged the Government to accept that what they are doing is wrong.
He called on them to reverse the changes to the rent pressure zone rules and introduce both a ban on rent increases and a ban on no fault evictions, alongside a significant increase in the delivery of social, affordable and private for purchase homes.
