Majority of Calls to Housing Charity Highlight Tenancy Concerns

A recent report from the housing charity Threshold reveals that more than half of all inquiries received during the second quarter of 2025 were from individuals worried about the potential termination of their tenancies. Specifically, 35 percent of the total queries from April to June 2025 dealt directly with tenancy terminations, while an additional 17 percent were general inquiries about related matters.

The findings indicate a significant concern among tenants, particularly working professionals, with 46 percent of those reaching out to the charity citing their wages as the primary source of income. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by many in securing stable housing in the Republic of Ireland.

Impact of Tenancy Concerns on Households

During this period, Threshold supported over 8,500 households, comprising more than 11,400 adults and over 7,000 children. The report shows that of the new households seeking assistance, 1,595 were at risk of homelessness. In response, the charity successfully helped 951 families either remain in their existing homes or secure new housing options.

The report also welcomed the recent extension of Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) rules across the country, aiming to educate all renters about their rights. As of the end of June 2025, the entire Republic of Ireland was classified as an RPZ, which restricts rent increases to no more than 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Landlords in these designated areas must also wait 24 months from the last rent review before initiating another increase, with subsequent adjustments allowed only every 12 months thereafter.

Real-Life Implications for Tenants

The report includes a poignant case study of a woman who contacted Threshold just as the nationwide application of RPZ rules was announced. Her landlord intended to raise her rent by an astonishing 62 percent, a figure she could not afford. Fortunately, by the time she sought advice, the expanded RPZ regulations meant that such an increase was no longer permissible.

While relieved to have avoided the rent hike, she expressed concerns about her relationship with her landlord, stating, “You’re stuck in a situation of, ‘other people are willing to pay this, so you have to pay this or go’. That’s what it feels like the options are.”

The report indicates that the alarming rise in tenancy termination inquiries reflects broader housing challenges that many tenants continue to face. As Niamh Towey, a journalist for the Irish Times, notes, these figures underline the urgent need for accessible housing support and advocacy for tenants navigating turbulent rental markets.