Households at risk of homelessness that contacted housing charity Threshold for the first time increased by more than 21% year-on-year, according to its final quarter figures of 2025.
Many renters were at risk of homelessness between October and December last year because their landlords wanted to sell, according to the charity.
Tenancy termination remained the number one issue for renters.
54% of all new clients who contacted Threshold in that period did so regarding security of tenure, either because they were facing a tenancy termination or because they feared losing their home.
Threshold said it assisted 746 households to remain in their homes or secure an alternative dwelling, though it also pointed out that many of the cases "remain ongoing".
It has expressed extreme concern over the introduction of new rent rules under the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026.
In a statement, it said that allowing market rent resets between tenancies risked undermining security of tenure and making homes unaffordable.
Threshold's National Advocacy Manager Ann-Marie O’Reilly said that the trajectory of rent increases was not known, due to a lack of modelling.
"There is also no safety mechanism in place if rents do increase at an unsustainable rate, like a rent brake mechanism. This measure may never be needed, but it would provide stability to renters and the wider market," she said.
At the end of last year, 8,548 households, including 10,933 adults and 6,928 children, were supported by Threshold.
The charity also answered 7,256 calls and scheduled 390 outreach clinic consultations around the country.
