Rental Yield Calculator

How to Calculate Rental Yield in Ireland

Gross rental yield is the starting point: annual rent divided by property value, expressed as a percentage. A property worth €300,000 renting at €1,500 per month (€18,000 per year) gives a gross yield of 6%. But this number flatters almost every property, because it ignores every cost between collecting rent and keeping the money.

Net Yield Is What Matters

Net yield deducts all operating costs: insurance, management fees (8–12% if you use an agent), routine maintenance, void periods between tenants, RTB registration, Local Property Tax, and accountancy fees. On a typical Dublin rental, these costs strip 1.5–2.5% off the gross yield. A property showing 5% gross might deliver just 2.5–3.5% net — before tax.

Typical Yields Across Ireland

Dublin yields sit around 4–5% gross, reflecting high property prices relative to rents. Cork and Galway are slightly better at 5–6%. Regional towns and cities — Limerick, Waterford, Sligo, the midlands — can deliver 7–9% gross, though management is harder at a distance and tenant demand can be more variable. High gross yield with high costs is a trap worth avoiding.

Beyond Yield: Total Return

Yield tells you about income. Total return adds capital appreciation — how much the property value grows over time. Irish property has historically appreciated at roughly 4–5% per year in nominal terms over the long run. A property with a modest 4% net yield plus 4% annual appreciation delivers an 8% total return, which compares well with equities. But appreciation isn't guaranteed, and your rental income has to cover the mortgage in the meantime.

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