Since 2013, researchers in the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)
have compiled a hedonic rental index for the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The
indicator estimates a standardised rental index on a national, Dublin and outside of Dublin
basis based on the 950,000 rental properties registered with the RTB. The provision in late
2016 of detailed geographical identifiers has enabled an alternative series of indicators to
be estimated. In particular, hedonic rental indicators for 137 local electoral areas (LEAs)
are now available on a quarterly basis from 2007 quarter 3 to 2016 quarter 4. By providing
a more accurate assessment of regional trends in rental supply and demand, the indicators
should enable a more precise implementation of policies in the rental market. They should
also serve as a proxy for measuring underlying economic activity in these regions on an
ongoing basis
