IRES Reports Strong H1 2026 Growth Amid New Regulatory Environment

Irish Residential Properties REIT plc (I-RES) announced its financial results for H1 2026, showcasing a 5.8% increase in EPRA earnings per share, reaching €15.3 million. The company's operational focus and strategic investments led to a total accounting return of 6.8%. Revenue from investment properties grew marginally to €43.1 million, while net rental income saw a slight increase of 1.2%, bolstered by a near full occupancy rate of 99.4%.

I-RES announced the acquisition of 77 units in Naas, demonstrating commitment to reinvesting proceeds from asset sales. The new regulatory framework, effective March 2026, is viewed positively, providing stability and encouraging investment in Ireland's rental sector. Despite these successes, the company's leverage decreased to 42.6%, remaining below the 50% cap set by regulations. The interim dividend per share went up by 5.9% to 2.50 cents.