'We're selling apartments to beat the band' Leitrim auctioneer talks landlord exodus

It was revealed this week that Leitrim has significantly more Airbnb properties available than residential accommodation with 87 short-term properties available and just seven homes to rent long-term. 

In Donegal, there are a whooping 662 Airbnbs compared with 27 homes to rent long-term. 

Threshold says nationally, there are four times more Airbnb lets than long-term rentals available this month.

Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, IPAV president and Leitrim auctioneer, Fintan McGill said that landlords are leaving the market in their droves after new changes came into place on March 1st. 

Under the new rules, Rent Pressure Zones are to be replaced by a new national system of rent control that covers all private and student-specific accommodation tenancies across Ireland.

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If your tenancy is created on or after March 1st, 2026, you will now be entitled to a minimum six-year tenancy cycle, called a Tenancy of Minimum Duration (TMD).

Mr McGill said: "The rise in Airbnbs is due to the new regulations. We're selling apartments to beat the band and people are just getting out; that's the way it is. They are so afraid that if someone goes into their property, they could be there for six years before they can get them out. It's as simple as that and it won't change."

He said that his business is currently selling a lot of apartments as well as houses. "We are busy at the moment. There is a lot of activity in the market at the present."