Changes to the rental system, including allowing landlords to reset rents to market rates, are set to begin next month after the Dáil passed the Residential Tenancies Bill by 73 votes to 68.

The bill now goes before the Seanad today and is due to come into effect on March 1st, with protests by tenant groups taking place outside Leinster House.

It's feared up to 60 thousand first-time renters could be impacted, with rents potentially rising by up to 15 per cent a year.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Padraig Fallon says the bill is disappointing and will cause serious anxiety for tenants already struggling with high rents.