Average advertised rents rose by 1.6 per cent in the second quarter of this year, according to the latest Daft.ie report, extending the trend of rising rents to 18 consecutive quarters.

The increase, building on gains in the opening months of 2025, means rents are now 6.9 per cent higher than a year ago. The national average open-market rent stood at €2,055 per month between April and June, more than double the low point of €765 recorded in 2011 and 51 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.

Report author Ronan Lyons, professor of economics at Trinity College Dublin, said the sustained increase reflected the persistent imbalance between demand and supply. “The upward march of rents continues, as availability shows little sign of improving. As has been the case for almost 15 years, the solution to a deficit of rental housing is ensuring more homes get built,” he said.

On August 1st, there were just 2,300 homes available to rent nationwide, a figure down 14 per cent year-on-year and close to half the 2015-2019 average.

With supply in Dublin slowing considerably, rents in the capital rose by 6.5 per cent, broadly in line with the national average of 7.3 per cent. Limerick recorded the highest rate of increase at 14.9 per cent, followed by Cork at 11.8 per cent, Waterford at 12.5 per cent and Galway at 8.5 per cent. Outside the five main cities, rents rose on average by 6.2 per cent.

“The average rent nationwide – now just above €2,000 a month – is twice the level recorded during the Celtic Tiger and 50 per cent higher than just before the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Lyons said. He added that scarcity rather than demand was driving prices higher.

Although the Government has moved to ease some aspects of rent control in order to stimulate investment in new supply, those measures will not take effect until next year. Combined with a lengthy planning system, analysts caution that it may be some time before tenants see meaningful relief.

Property Prices
The sales market is also showing continued upward pressure. Average house prices nationwide are more than 3 per cent higher than a year ago, with commuter counties and regional cities recording the strongest growth. In Dublin, the average home is now priced just under €470,000, compared with a national average of €335,000.

First-time buyers in particular continue to face affordability challenges, as limited housing supply and robust demand maintain upward pressure on values. Without a significant increase in new housing construction, the parallel rise in both rents and purchase prices is expected to persist.