Registering a tenancy

Information

Since 1 September 2004, landlords have to register all tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Landlords must be registered to use the PRTB dispute resolution service (although tenants do not have to be registered to avail of this service). You can find out more about the PRTB’s dispute resolution service.

The PRTB will use this information to maintain a publicly available register. This will not show the identity of the landlord or the tenants, or the amount of the rent. The PRTB will exchange information with local authorities so that they can enforce the regulations relating to standards and rent books.

The PRTB may exchange information with the Department of Social and Family Affairs. It may also supply registration details to the Revenue Commissioners on request.

Rules

New tenancies must be registered within a month of the start of the tenancy. Landlords are responsible for registration and tenants must give their details to the landlords (including their Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)) and sign the form when requested.

Landlords must supply the following information when registering:

• The address of the dwelling
• The name, address and PPS number of the landlord
• The names and PPS numbers of the tenant or tenants
• The number of people in the dwelling
• A description of the dwelling including the number of bed spaces (for example, a two-reception, three-bedroom semi-detached house with five bed spaces)
• The date the tenancy started
• The rent and how often it is payable
• The local authority area the dwelling is located in
• The term of the lease if it is a fixed term lease
• Whether it is a sub-letting.

After registration the landlord and tenant are each given a registration number, which must be used in any dealings with the Board.

Rent changes

If the amount of rent changes the landlord must tell the PRTB of the change within one month. At the same time landlords can update any of their other registration data. Find out more about Rent increases in Ireland.

Find out more about what the PRTB can do if your landlord doesn't register the tenancy.

Rates

Each registration costs €70. If you are registering a number of tenancies in the same building at the same time you can pay a composite fee of €300. If the registration is late, the fees are doubled. There is no fee payable if you had already registered with the local authority in the past 12 months and had paid the required fee for that. There is a maximum of two payments for any one property in a 12-month period. Landlords should not ask the tenant to pay this fee.

The PRTB will give some of this registration fee to the local authorities to fund the enforcement of regulations relating to rent books and standards of accommodation.

If the tenants remain after the four-year tenancy is over, you must register a new tenancy. Landlords who fail to register may be fined up to €3,000 and face imprisonment for up to six months on conviction. A further penalty of €250 for each day of non-registration may be levied.

How to apply

Download form PRTB1 to register tenancies with the PRTB (pdf). Complete the application form and return to the PRTB at the address below.

Where to apply