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Residential Tenancies Act - Residential Tenancies Board (RTB)
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 as amended, regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to:
- operate a national tenancy registration system
- resolve disputes between landlords and tenants
Where there is a dispute between a landlord and tenant, the dispute can be referred to the RTB for resolution, involving mediation or adjudication and tenancy tribunal hearings.
The RTB’s website contains valuable information for landlords and tenants on their rights and obligations. The website also provides easy access to information relating to RTB services. Copies of RTB reports and useful forms are available for download.
Landlords can only avail of the dispute resolution service with the RTB if the tenancy to which the dispute relates is registered with the RTB. However, tenants can avail of the dispute resolution service even if the tenancy is not registered with the RTB (unless the tenancy is exempt from registration under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004).
Tenancies in private rented residential accommodation must be registered by the landlord with the RTB and a registration fee paid. Each registration must be renewed after 4 years (for tenancies that commenced before 24 December 2016), or 6 years (for tenancies that commenced on or after 24 December 2016), or once a new tenancy commences. Tenancy registration forms are available on the RTB’s website.
The national housing charity, Threshold, provides advice and advocacy services to those experiencing difficulties within a tenancy.
A wide range of information, advice and downloads is available on Threshold’s website.
Alternatively, they can be contacted by phone on 1800 454 454.
