Information for students and parents

Know your tenancy type

Whether you’re moving into a student apartment, a private rental or ‘digs’, it’s important to know which type of rental agreement you have.

Because the protections differ significantly, you should make sure you understand if you are entering a tenancy or licence arrangement before agreeing to rent accommodation.

Starting a tenancy

Key things to remember before you sign:

• Watch out for scams and don’t transfer money without viewing the property first.
• Make sure the property meets minimum standards.
• Get written records such as a tenancy agreement, inventory report and rent and deposit receipts.
• Make sure you receive a rent setting notice as well as contact details for the landlord and/or their agent.

During a tenancy

Understanding your rights and responsibilities will help you to maintain a positive tenancy.

Your rights include:

• A safe and well-maintained home with working utilities and appliances
• Peaceful and exclusive occupation
• Information about how your rent is set and reviewed
• Receipts for rent and other payments
• Proper notice if your tenancy is ending

Your responsibilities include:

• Paying rent in full and on time
• Keeping the property in good condition
• Reporting maintenance issues promptly and allowing access for repairs
• Following house rules and avoiding anti-social behaviour

These are just a summary of your legal rights and responsibilities. Find full details of your rights and responsibilities set out in law and tenancy agreements.

Ending a tenancy

When moving out, both tenants and landlords must follow specific legal procedures. This includes giving written notice to end a tenancy.

Before you move out, make sure you:

• Pay all rent owed
• Take final utility meter readings and pay if necessary
• Leave the property clean and remove all rubbish
• Remove personal belongings
• Return keys as agreed
• Check that all items on your inventory are still there
  and undamaged

If things go wrong

Most tenancy issues can be resolved early through communication so try talking to your landlord first. If you cannot reach agreement, the RTB offers a formal dispute resolution service.

Information for landlords renting to students

Whether you offer a house, apartment or purpose-built student accommodation to students, you need to know the rules for your specific tenancy.

Know your letting type

Use knowing about different tenancy types table above.

Be aware that simply calling an agreement a “license” doesn’t make it one.

Whether an agreement is a lease or licence depends on the actual arrangement, not just the name.

Learn more about the difference between a lease and licence.

Key things to remember when setting up a student tenancy

• Use our landlords’ checklist to get it right from day one.
• Register your tenancy within one month and annually on the anniversary.
• Use written tenancy agreements plus inventory reports and rent and deposit receipts.
• Know about different rules for SSAs including limits on deposits and advance rent, tenancy duration and notice periods.

Your rights include:

• Receiving rent in full and on time
• Deciding on subletting or assignment (not allowed in SSA)
• Being informed of necessary repairs and accessing the property with notice

Your responsibilities include:

• Providing peaceful occupation and meeting minimum standards
• Setting rent in line with rental law
• Returning deposits promptly (minus permitted deductions)
• Maintaining the property in good condition and meeting minimum standards
• Ending tenancies in line with legal notice requirements

These are just a summary of some of your legal rights and responsibilities. Find full details of your rights and responsibilities set out in law and tenancy agreements.

If you don’t comply with your obligations

Landlords who breach rental law can be investigated by the RTB, sanctioned and directed to pay a fine up to €15,000, in addition to costs up to €15,000.