Landlords will only be permitted to raise rents once every two years under new Government plans aimed at addressing the housing crisis.

Alan Kelly is reported to have given up on working towards matching rent increases to the Consumer Price Index, the Irish Times reports.

Currently a landlord can increase the rent on a property once every 12 months but the Government hopes this new measure will bring more certainty to tenants. These new rules will remain in place for at least four years.

The new housing plan effectively means that if the rent on a property was increased in June of this year then it will not be permissible for a hike until 2017, and then the new figure must be at market level, with landlords having to justify the new figure by comparing it to the market.

The new measures are expected to be presented to ministers next Tuesday.