Residential Tenancies Act

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to 2019 (referred to here as “the Act”) is the primary body of Irish landlord-tenant law, which, together with any lease or tenancy agreement, governs the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants of privately rented residential property. The Act is updated regularly, to meet the changing needs of the rental sector.

In addition to details on the rights and obligations of each party, the Act provides clarity on a number of key landlord-tenant issues, including residential tenancy regulations:

• Minimum standards for rented accommodation
• Registration of new tenancies
• Maximum rent increases in densely populated areas where rental accommodation is in short supply (called “Rent Pressure Zones”)
• The rules as to how and when a tenancy can be ended by either a landlord or tenant
• Minimum notice periods which must be provided upon termination of a rental agreement by either party

A government body, called the Residential Tenancies Board (often called the “RTB”), enforces the Act and is a source of useful information on its application. Where a landlord and tenant reach a disagreement that they may not be able to resolve internally, the RTB provides tools, mediation services, and adjudication where necessary.

To learn more about the Act, the rental process, the role of the RTB in landlord-tenant law, and any recent changes to the law, visit the Residential Tenancies board website at www.rtb.ie