Tenant Rights in Ireland: Complete 2025 Guide

Renting in Ireland comes with a specific legal framework governed by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Knowing your rights around notice periods, deposits, and rent increases can protect you from being wrongly evicted or overcharged.

What is the RTB and does my tenancy need to be registered?

The RTB is the statutory body that regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in Ireland. Almost all private residential tenancies must be registered with the RTB by the landlord within one month of the tenancy starting (this excludes certain arrangements like a person renting a room in the landlord's own home under "rent-a-room"). You can check whether your tenancy is registered on the RTB website, and unregistered tenancies are a red flag — it may mean your landlord isn't tax compliant either.

What is the "6-year tenancy" rule?

Since changes introduced in 2022, most tenancies that started after 11 June 2022 are now considered tenancies of unlimited duration rather than being capped at 6 years. If your tenancy began before that date and hadn't already rolled into a further tenancy, older rules may still apply during a transition period, but the general direction has been to remove the old "Part 4" 6-year cycle in favour of indefinite tenancies, ending automatically only for specific reasons set out in law. Always check your specific start date, as transitional rules can be nuanced — see rtb.ie for the latest guidance.

What notice period am I entitled to?

Notice periods a landlord must give you depend on how long you've lived in the property:

Length of tenancy	Notice landlord must give
Less than 6 months	28 days
6 months to 1 year	35 days
1 to 2 years	42 days
2 to 3 years	56 days
3 to 4 years	84 days
4 to 5 years	112 days
5 to 6 years	140 days
6+ years	224 days (168 days if tenancy is 6-7 years, rising to 224 beyond that)

Tenants generally must give 28 days' notice if they've lived in the property for less than 6 months, rising to 56 days if 6 months or more. Notice must be in writing, on the correct RTB notice of termination form, and state a valid reason where required.

What are the valid reasons a landlord can end a tenancy?

• The tenant has failed to pay rent or broken tenancy obligations (after being given a chance to remedy).
• The landlord intends to sell the property (with specific documentary proof requirements).
• The landlord or a family member needs to move in.
• The property is required for substantial renovation not feasible with the tenant in situ.
• The landlord is changing the property's use (e.g., no longer for rental).

A landlord cannot terminate simply because a fixed term has ended, if the tenancy is now one of unlimited duration under current rules — a valid ground is required.

What are the deposit rules?

Landlords typically charge a deposit equal to one month's rent (occasionally more for furnished/short lets, though this is less common now). The deposit must be returned within a reasonable time after the tenancy ends, minus any legitimate deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear or unpaid rent — landlords cannot withhold a deposit without justification, and disputes go to the RTB's dispute resolution service.

What rent increases are prohibited?

Most of Ireland is now designated as a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ). Within an RPZ, rent increases are capped at 2% per year or the rate of inflation (HICP), whichever is lower, and rent can only be reviewed once every 12 months. Outside RPZs, rent reviews also can't happen more than once a year and must reflect local market rent, but aren't subject to the same percentage cap. A landlord cannot increase rent during a fixed term unless the lease specifically allows it, and any increase must be in writing giving at least 90 days' notice.

Frequently Asked Questions