New tenants should take photographs (and video if required) of their property as soon as they commence their tenancy. Ideally, the photographs should be date stamped. An easy way to date stamp the photographs is to email them to yourself, the lettings agent handling the lease and the landlord (if you have their details). Photographs can act as evidence should a dispute with the landlord arise at some point in the future.  Similarly, photos should be taken before moving out of the dwelling as a record of the condition of the property and furnishings when the tenancy ends.

It is important for tenants to know the name of the landlord.  If dealing with an agent, a tenant is entitled to the full name and contact details of the landlord(s) under the Housing Rent Book Regulations Act 1993.  Even if dealing with an agent or landlord representative throughout a tenancy, in the event of a dispute, the tenant can only refer an application for dispute resolution against the landlord. Check the RTB database of dispute resolution outcomes here.

In general, in the first six months of a tenancy, the landlord or tenant can terminate without a reason but this cannot be done in a fixed-term tenancy. Tenants cannot terminate a fixed-term lease unless the landlord has not agreed to assign or sublet the property.

Both tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities during a tenancy. It is strongly recommended that both the tenant and landlord know their individual rights and responsibilities. More information on rights and responsibilities can be found on the Residential Tenancies Board website.

The landlord should provide the tenant with their contact details or the contact details of any agent working on their behalf.

We recommend that tenants and landlords search the RTB database for any previous dispute outcomes before renting a property.