Rent increase RPZ

A query on behalf of a friend.
Rent set at beginning of tenancy €1650 1/10/23.
No increase applied since.
RPZ calculator states 31€ is all that is allowed.
Is it better to wait til March or increase now ?
Many thanks.

Your friend won't be able to increase in March 2026 if the tenancy continues. The increase to market value post March 2026 is only for brand new tenancies entered into after that date.

No increase at all? I thought tiny annual increases were permitted in line with RPZ calculator. Surely you can’t be stuck for 6 years ?

For as long as the current tenancy lasts, your friend can continue with the current lower of HICP or 2% increases ie. the €31 you mention. Only a brand new tenancy entered into after March 2026 where your friend's existing tenants left of their own accord qualifies for the uplift to market value.

Assuming your friend has only one rental property, he or she can then increase the rent on the new post March 2026 tenancy annually based on HICP/2%. If the tenants are still in place after 6 years, the rent increases to market value at that point (assuming the politicians don't 'cancel' any large increases that is).