RTB Rent Register

How to use the RTB Rent Register

A landlord must use information from the RTB Rent Register to confirm a rent setting or review is not above market rent. They must provide three examples from the register of the most recent rents paid for similar properties in a comparable area.

To find your examples:

1. Enter the details for the property you are setting rent for. This should include:
   1. Eircode
   2. Dwelling type
   3. Number of bedrooms
   4. Floor area
   5. Building Energy Rating (BER)
2. The RTB Rent Register will give you the results that most closely match your tenancy.
3. Select three comparable examples. Add the registered tenancy (RT) number and rent paid for each example to your rent setting or rent review notice.
4. Download a printout of the RTB Rent Register results.

How are the register results selected?

• We match the tenancy Eircode you enter to the correct Local Electoral Area.
• The Register only returns results from the matched Local Electoral Area.
• It will return up to 10 results for your search.
• It will show the properties that are an exact match for your search first.
• What is considered an exact match?
  • For dwelling type, it will show just houses or apartments depending on your search.
  • For floor area, an exact match is any floor area within 10% of the value you entered.
  • For number of bedrooms, it must be the same number.
  • For BER, an exact match is an identical BER rating.
• If there are less than 10 exact matches, the Register will provide examples that are a weaker match.
  • First, it will provide examples of tenancies that match all criteria except BER. You will see results for similar properties with a different BER rating.
  • Then, it will provide examples where the floor area is more than 10% above or below the value you entered. These properties will have a lower match score.
  • Then, it will give examples where the number of bedrooms is 1 higher or lower than the value you entered.
• The results are sorted in date order within their category (by tenancy start date). Exact matches are sorted first from the most recent tenancy start date to the oldest. Weaker matches are shown next and also sorted from newest to oldest.
• The Register includes all new and annual registrations received by the RTB in the last 24 months.

Can I use other sources for comparable rents?

The RTB Rent Register should be a landlord’s main reference point when setting rent. If a landlord wants to set a rent higher than comparable examples from the Register, they must justify that it represents market rent. To do this, they should provide additional evidence, such as expert valuations.

While a landlord can reference additional sources, they are legally obliged to consider the RTB Rent Register and this should carry significant weight in their decision.

A landlord must keep clear records to support their rent setting decision. They may need to provide the documents as evidence if there is a dispute case or investigation by the RTB in future. Failure to follow rent setting rules is an offence under the Residential Tenancies Act.