Things to know before you report

Types of breaches you can report

There are 11 specific breaches of rental law by a landlord that the RTB can enforce. You can read detailed information on our What breaches can the RTB enforce page.  

Tenants can also apply to the RTB for dispute resolution for breaches of rental law in a current or past tenancy.  

For all breaches of rental law by a tenant, a landlord can apply for dispute resolution.  

Reporting an unregistered tenancy

Before you report an unregistered tenancy, please check the register and read about types of tenancies that do not have to register with the RTB. 

Is the issue more suitable for dispute resolution? 

There are some issues that can only be resolved, or can be better resolved, through dispute resolution. Our dispute resolution and enforcement processes are not connected. 

Learn more about if you should report a landlord or bring a dispute.  

Who can report 

Anyone can report a concern or breach to the RTB’s Compliance and Enforcement team. This could be: 

• A current or former tenant of the landlord 
• A representative body 
• Another statutory body working with landlords or tenants 
• A public representative 
• A neighbour or concerned party residing near a tenancy 
• Another landlord or letting agent

There is no fee to report a landlord to the RTB Compliance and Enforcement team. 

How to make a report 

You can make a report using the RTB webform. 

• Read the form carefully, complete it in full and provide as much information as possible to help us process your report. 

• You can choose to provide your contact details on the form or you can remain anonymous.

• By providing contact details, we can contact you for more information to help with an investigation. 

• The landlord will not be told who made the report. 

• You will not be updated about the outcome of your report but if an investigation takes place and the landlord is sanctioned, all sanctions will be published on our website once the case has been completed. 

You can make a formal complaint by submitting the RTB Complaint Form. 

It is important that you understand that if you make a formal complaint that your name will be shared with the landlord. If you do not want the landlord to know, you should report your issue through the RTB webform. 

 You can also make a report by phone to 0818-776-297. This phone line is not recorded. 

Documents you should submit

Include any documents you think are relevant to support your report. 

Examples include: 

• Notice of Termination and Statutory Declaration 
• Notice of Rent Review 
• Copy of a current or previous tenancy agreement 
• Emails or text messages with the landlord 
• Copies of any letting advertisements viewed 

What happens next 

We will send you an acknowledgement by email or letter. If necessary, we may contact you to clarify some details or provide additional information. 

We assess all reports of rental law breaches and decide what enforcement action is suitable, if any. The RTB’s enforcement options include:  

• Issuing a fixed payment notice 

• Taking a criminal prosecution case  

• Investigating and imposing a civil sanction of up to €15,000 

You will not receive an update on the outcome of your report unless you have made a formal complaint. 

If your report does not lead to an investigation 

A report may not be investigated for the reasons below. 

• Can only be dealt with or better suited to dispute resolution: some issues are more appropriate for the RTB’s dispute resolution process instead of an investigation. 

• Not enough information: if your report does not include enough detail, we will contact you to ask for more. 

• Not something we can investigate: some issues cannot be investigated by the RTB. 

• Frivolous or unfounded reports: reports that lack substance, foundation, or are made in bad faith will not be investigated. 

Enforcement outcomes 

If a landlord is found guilty of breaking the law, they can face a fixed payment notice, criminal prosecution or civil investigation and sanction of up to €15,000 for each breach. We publish outcomes from criminal prosecution and investigation cases on the RTB website.