HOUSING CHARITY THRESHOLD is calling for robust enforcement as short-term lets outnumber homes to rent by four to one nationwide.

Research carried out by Threshold shows there are now over 8,600 second homes advertised for short-term let across Ireland, compared to 2,100 homes available nationwide in the private rental market.

The charity analysed data from Inside Airbnb and Daft.ie for March 2026.

Kerry has the highest ratio of short-term lets to homes to rent with over 30 to one, while Clare follows close behind with a 28 to one ratio.

Threshold said the final figures from its analysis are “conservative” as they exclude hosts with only one listing, as well as properties not suitable for long-term renting. Including hosts with only one listing, the data shows that the total number of entire homes or apartments available as short-term holiday lets in Ireland is 20,039.

The charity is calling for strengthened enforcement of rules around short-term lets.

Last month the government rowed back on plans that would ensure short-term let planning permissions would be required in towns with populations over 10,000.  Instead, the government has decided the new restrictions, which are yet to be implemented, will only apply to towns with a population of over 20,000. 

Threshold said the change is “deeply concerning, especially as some of the most impacted areas, with few homes to rent, are in more rural areas.”

It urged the government to restore the 10,000-population planning permission threshold for short-term lets.

Threshold CEO John-Mark McCafferty said: “Housing is a national emergency, and in an emergency we must use every policy lever available to increase supply. This means protecting existing homes, so they are available to rent long-term for families and people who need somewhere secure to live.”

“Our analysis shows that nationally there are over four short-term lets for every one home available to rent. In several counties, the imbalance is far more extreme. These are communities at risk of being hollowed out, where homes sit empty or underused for parts of the year while workers and families cannot find anywhere to live.

“Threshold welcomes the forthcoming register of short-term lets, but this alone is not enough. We look forward to working with the Government on strengthening enforcement of short-term lets regulation to ensure communities thrive and families can find long-term homes.”