Ultimate Guide to Renting in Ireland 2024

If you are looking to rent a property in Ireland in 2024, you might find the process overwhelming, particularly if you have gone through it before. You may be wondering how to avoid previous negative experiences, making this ultimate rental guide for renters in Ireland in 2024 an essential resource.

This comprehensive guide offers a checklist to help you navigate the initial stages of renting, from finding your dream property to settling in. By conducting thorough inspections and utilising the practical resources available on RentDodo, you can eliminate anxiety and inconvenience from the procedure. Whether you are a first-time renter or a seasoned one, this ultimate rental guide for renters in Ireland in 2024 is the go-to resource for a stress-free renting experience.

1. Financial Preparedness for Renters

Before you begin to look at properties, it’s good to know exactly how you will pay your rent. Take some time to work out how much you can afford, remembering all the other bills you will need to keep paying at the same time (utilities, car insurance, groceries etc.).

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme and Rent Supplement are Government supports for people finding it difficult to pay their rent.

The HAP payment is for those who are on their local authority’s housing list. Rent Allowance gives short-term help to renters who have had a sudden change in their income.

Your landlord cannot discriminate against you for participating in these schemes. So don’t be afraid to check what you’re entitled to and do your research. For more information, check out our handy guide to Rent Supplement and HAP.

2. Searching For Rental Properties

In your quest for the ideal rental property, numerous trustworthy resources are at your disposal. These include well-known property listing websites, websites of professional letting agents, and classified advertisements from reputable newspapers. To steer clear of scams, be wary of listings offering suspiciously low prices or those demanding upfront payments before a property viewing.

Exercise particular caution when exploring property listings on social media platforms, especially those without moderation. By relying on credible sources and remaining vigilant, your search for a secure and appropriate rental property is more likely to be successful. You will also protect yourself from falling prey to a rental scam.

At RentDodo, applying for available properties is streamlined and trustworthy, thanks to our thorough verification processes. Discover more about how we instil confidence in our users: RentDodo employs innovative live selfie and ID scanning technology to authenticate each user's identity, along with verifying their contact information for enhanced security.

When a property catches your eye, it's prudent to compare its price with similar properties in the area. The Residential Tenancy Board's (RTB) Rent Index serves as an invaluable tool for this purpose. If a deal appears too advantageous, stay alert to the possibility of it being a scam.

3. Have Your Documentation Ready

In Ireland, there is no legal requirement about the kind of documents a tenant must provide. That said, any personal data that is shared is governed by GDPR. When applying to rent a property, some items are commonly requested, such as:

The Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) has given guidance on how much personal data should be collected from prospective tenants before a lease is offered. For instance, the DPC questioned the need to ask prospective tenants for their PPS number since it is only required to register the lease with the RTB and therefore is only required once the lease is signed. You can read about the DPC guidance here.

RentDodo’s TenantCert feature is designed to make this process straightforward for you and your potential landlord. Keeping in mind the DPC’s guidelines, we have eliminated asking for onerous amounts of personal data.

As well as saving you time, the TenantCert keeps your personal information safe, in compliance with all GDPR requirements. You can also revoke access to your TenantCert at any time. When you email a landlord your personal information, how sure are you that they are handling it correctly?

Read our article about pre-letting documentation to find out more.

4. Verifying Landlord Authenticity

It’s important to be sure you trust your landlord before signing up to a tenancy. Do they actually own the property? Are they entitled to rent it out?

When you use RentDodo, you can rest assured that every landlord has gone through ID verification, giving you extra peace of mind about your potential tenancy.

In other situations, ask to see your landlord’s ID before handing over money or signing a tenancy agreement. It may feel uncomfortable, but you are perfectly entitled to; remember, you will be sharing your own ID also. It’s much better than dealing with problems later on. Any genuine landlord will understand a polite and friendly request for identification.

It’s possible to search for your landlord’s name in the RTB’s Dispute Database. This will show any recorded disputes that your landlord has had with other tenants. However, make sure to read all the information available. The presence of a dispute doesn’t necessarily mean the landlord did something wrong. However, the database could alert you to a possible problem.

5. Understanding Standards for Rental Housing

The law expects landlords to keep their properties in an acceptable condition. The Minimum Standards for Rented Housing are described in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.

They include expectations about the facilities in a property (such as laundry facilities, heating and hot water), as well as safety features such as fire and carbon monoxide alarms.

Before viewing a property, spend some time reading up on these standards and getting to know them. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) has produced a helpful infographic on the topic.

During your viewing, look and see if these standards are being met. If many of them seem to be missing, consider it a red flag and move on.

Of course, there will be some very genuine cases where a landlord may be in the middle of getting something fixed or purchasing a new piece of equipment. But overall, the standards are a good indicator of the landlord’s commitment to their tenants.

6. Financial Management in Rental Situations

Sadly, there have been many reports of rental scam in Ireland lately and payment time is when they often show up.

When paying a deposit (and making regular payments) make sure to only hand money over to the verified landlord or letting agent. The Gardaí advise tenants to pay their deposit by credit card, bank draft or cheque. Never use electronic transfers or cash.

Of course, most landlords are genuine and trustworthy, but unfortunately, it’s important to take these precautions, just in case.

It’s important to note that the landlord is not allowed to ask for a deposit greater than the value of two months’ worth of rent.

Ask for a receipt for every transaction and keep them in a safe place for future reference. You are entitled to a rent book, where all payments should be recorded carefully by your landlord.

7. Check The Keys Work

The last thing you want is to be stranded on the doorstep (with empty pockets after paying your deposit).

Ask to test the keys in the landlord/letting agent’s presence. At the same time, it’s good to check that you have the keys you need for all areas of the property, including side/back doors or sheds.

8. Read The Tenancy Agreement in Detail

Never sign a tenancy agreement until you’ve gone through it carefully. You need to be aware of everything that might affect you during your time in the property. For example, the agreement should be clear about who is responsible for particular utility bills.

If there is something you’re not sure about, or you think needs to be discussed and/or included, make sure to raise it before adding your signature.

Before you get to this stage, it’s good to have an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords. You can find out more about these in the RTB’s Good Landlord/Tenant Guide (based on the Residential Tenancies Act). This understanding will help you to have an informed opinion about the tenancy agreement you’ve been asked to sign.

9. Inspecting Utility Meters: Electricity and Gas

Nobody likes paying somebody else’s bills (especially with the rising cost of living). Before you move in, check the electricity and gas meters and take a photo of their current readings. These readings should be taken on the day you start your lease. Ideally, you should confirm this information with your landlord so disputes regarding previous outstanding amounts owed on utility bills do not arise.

In some cases, landlords will include utilities with the rent. It is still strongly recommended to record the meter readings at the start of your tenancy.

Tip: it is worth asking your landlord that the exact meter readings be entered on the lease agreement from the date the lease is signed.

When vacating a lease, be sure to check that any utility accounts in your name are closed and any outstanding amounts settled. If the landlord or incoming tenant continues to use your account, you could be liable for any charges after you vacate the property.

10. Documenting Inventory and Pre-Existing Damage

When reading the meter, take a tour of the property (ideally with the landlord) to check and record the condition of the building, fittings, appliances and furnishings.

Take photographs as you go, especially of any damage you find. Make sure to highlight any issues with your landlord so that you don’t get blamed and/or charged for them later on.

You may come across some hidden damage after your initial inspection. Make sure to report it as soon as you do, including a photograph.

Tip: if you notice any damage to the property or its contents before signing the lease, ask the landlord that it be noted in the lease agreement - this can help avoid any unnecessary disputes later in the tenancy.

The Next Stage

Once you’ve moved in, check that the tenancy has been registered with the Residential Tenancies Board.

After that, these articles might be useful during your rental journey:

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