Source: Statista

SOUTH DUBLIN IS top of the list when it comes to the highest rents in Dublin.

The top fives area with the most expensive rents are all located in on the southern side of the capital, according to the latest Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) Rent Index.

The Index for Q4 2016 looks at the average rents in 137 Local Electoral Areas across Ireland. It is the first time an RTB report has measured rents in this way.

In the past, the RTB only measured rents in three regions – nationally; in the Dublin area; and outside of Dublin. The inclusion of Local Electoral Area results allows for more specific, localised analysis.

The report found that nationally the average cost of renting was €986. The index measures renting costs for tenancies across all properties registered with the RTB.

Top of the list with the most expensive rent in the country is south Dublin suburb Stillorgan, with the average cost of renting €2,062 (over double the national average).

Next in line is Dundrum, with average monthly rents of €1,837.

Following this is are Glencullen-Sandyford (€1,830 per month); Rathfarnham (€1,702 p/m); and Blackrock (€1,695 p/m).

At the other end of the scale, the cheapest rent in the country is in Glenties in Co Donegal at €337 a month.

This is followed by Ballinamore in Co Leitrim at €419 per month.

The next three cheapest areas to rent are Inishowen in Donegal (€421 per month); Boyle in Roscommon (€451 p/m); and Manorhamilton in Leitrim (€452 p/m).

The RTB Index was launched this week by Housing Minister Simon Coveney.

It was announced during the launch that two more areas – Maynooth in Kildare and Cobh in Cork – were to be designated as rent pressure zones.

This means that rises in rents will be limited to 4% in these areas for a period of three years.