As a landlord in Ireland, you must register with the RTB. You must do this every year and make them aware of any changes to the tenancy agreement, such as rent or occupancy. Annual registration has been applied since April 4th of this year (2022). You must also legally provide a rent book in the RTB-approved format.
RTB registration
Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is the regulated body in Ireland that supports and develops the housing sector.
The purview of the RTB extends to private housing, approved housing body (AHB) and student housing,
It is an absolute legal requirement that a landlord registers with the RTB every single year, and this can be done in a few ways,
Online registration
According to the RTB, the best way is to register your tenancy online. Landlords can fill out a simple online form with their names and PPN numbers. As long as the details submitted online match the details held by the department of social protection. Then registration can be done instantly.
Telephone registration
Registrations can also be registered via telephone, but it’s more laborious, and you should be prepared to wait in a telephone queue for some time.
Registration by post
Registrations can be submitted via post or email. You need to download an application form from the RTB website and send the completed application form to Residential Tenancies Board, PO Box 47, Clonakilty, County Cork, or it can be scanned and emailed to registrations@rtb.ie as well.
What happens if the landlord is not registered with RTB?
If a landlord knowingly and deliberately executes a tenancy agreement without registering it with the RTB, they can face prosecution, prison and fines. The fine is set at a maximum €4000; custodial sentences are limited to 6 months.
A further penalty for non-registration of €250 per day can also be applied; any legal costs incurred by the RTB will be the responsibility of the unregistered landlord.
Is it mandatory to register with RTB?
Yes – it is a legal requirement for landlords to register with the Residential Tenancy Board. The goal of the RTB is to ensure every rented residential property in its jurisdiction is registered.
How long is RTB valid?
Each registration of tenancy is valid for 12 months. Each year, this means that each property must be registered by the Residential Tenancy Board.
Consequently, if you opt for an “unlimited tenancy.” you would still need to re-register the tenancy every year.
What tenancies must be registered?
Almost all residential properties must be registered with the RTB. This includes student accommodation and approved body housing (ABH)
There are exceptions to the registration requirements, and the following property types do not need to be registered:
- Social Housing
- Holiday Lets
- Commercial properties
- Former rent-controlled properties (*separate legislation applies)
- Owner occupied properties
- Properties where the spouse, child or parent of the landlord lives.
What Landlords Need To Know About Registration
The most crucial thing to remember is to register each property each year. Equally important is to remember to update the RTB with any changes to the tenancy agreement.
In 2014, the Residential Tenancy Board replaced the courts in landlord and tenant disputes. Any dispute surrounding a rental property or a tenancy agreement should be brought to the RTB before commencing legal proceedings.
What power does the RTB have?
Along with the power to investigate unregistered landlords and refer them to the courts, the RTB also has the ability to investigate, sanction and pursue landlords legally who commit certain infractions.
The infractions the RTB is allowed to investigate are offences classed as “Improper conduct.” These offences are things like charging more rent than is permitted under the residential tenancies act or citing a reason to end a tenancy that the landlord ultimately didn’t end up acting on.
Property Management Dublin
If you have questions about RTB registration or simply want a management agency that takes care of all this on your behalf, KPM can help.
KPM Group has helped countless landlords free themselves from managing their portfolios. Trust us to deliver the maximum return on investment while providing quality property management services.
If you would like to speak to us here at KPM about your portfolio, then get in touch today, and a staff member will be happy to help in any way we can.
