Renting Your First Home in Ireland Checklist: 26 Items
Compare and secure a rental home in the Republic of Ireland, including deposits, RTB tenancy rules, utilities and move-in evidence.
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๐ถ Budget and shortlist
Notes: Include rent, utilities, travel, insurance and deposit cash requirements.
Include rent, utilities, travel, insurance and deposit cash requirements.
Notes: Compare realistic commute and access to services.
Compare realistic commute and access to services.
Notes: Beware advance-payment scams and cloned advertisements.
Beware advance-payment scams and cloned advertisements.
Notes: Standard private tenancies differ from licences or student-specific accommodation.
Standard private tenancies differ from licences or student-specific accommodation.
Notes: The advertised rent may hide major energy costs.
The advertised rent may hide major energy costs.
๐ Verify property and landlord
Notes: Visit before paying where possible; use a trusted representative if unavailable.
Visit before paying where possible; use a trusted representative if unavailable.
Notes: Verify names, agency details and payment instructions independently.
Verify names, agency details and payment instructions independently.
Notes: Record issues before deciding whether a home is suitable.
Record issues before deciding whether a home is suitable.
Notes: Ask about smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms where appropriate.
Ask about smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms where appropriate.
Notes: Flag broken or unsafe fittings before the tenancy begins.
Flag broken or unsafe fittings before the tenancy begins.
๐ Review legal and payment terms
Notes: Check rent dates, services, notice and each partyโs responsibilities.
Check rent dates, services, notice and each partyโs responsibilities.
Notes: Rental rules changed for certain tenancies created from 1 March 2026.
Rental rules changed for certain tenancies created from 1 March 2026.
Notes: Refer to RTB national rent controls and any relevant exception rather than outdated RPZ assumptions.
Refer to RTB national rent controls and any relevant exception rather than outdated RPZ assumptions.
Notes: Obtain clear written receipts and use traceable payments.
Obtain clear written receipts and use traceable payments.
Notes: Ask about the landlordโs tenancy registration obligations.
Ask about the landlordโs tenancy registration obligations.
Notes: Verbal assurances can be hard to verify after move-in.
Verbal assurances can be hard to verify after move-in.
๐ท Inspect and move in
Notes: Photograph existing damage with dated evidence when practical.
Photograph existing damage with dated evidence when practical.
Notes: Record opening readings and clarify responsibility for each bill.
Record opening readings and clarify responsibility for each bill.
Notes: Test main doors, windows and shared access controls.
Test main doors, windows and shared access controls.
Notes: Report leaks, inadequate heating or serious faults promptly.
Report leaks, inadequate heating or serious faults promptly.
Notes: Apartment and local waste arrangements can differ.
Apartment and local waste arrangements can differ.
โ Protect your tenancy
Notes: Store evidence privately for any deposit or repair dispute.
Store evidence privately for any deposit or repair dispute.
Notes: Avoid accidental arrears and unclear payment records.
Avoid accidental arrears and unclear payment records.
Notes: Tell the landlord about defects using the agreed process.
Tell the landlord about defects using the agreed process.
Notes: Do not assume every tenancy has identical rights or termination terms.
Do not assume every tenancy has identical rights or termination terms.
Notes: Consult the RTB before relying on informal or outdated advice.
Consult the RTB before relying on informal or outdated advice.
Complete Guide
Plan for the full cost
First-time renters should budget beyond the advertised rent. Deposits, travel, broadband, heating and the cost of moving can change whether a property is genuinely affordable.
Validate the landlord and the home
Rental scams exploit pressure and urgency. Inspect the property, confirm the agent and do not send sensitive identity documents or transfers to unverified recipients.
Read the 2026 rules carefully
The RTB explains new national rent-setting and tenancy protections from 1 March 2026. Application and exceptions depend on tenancy date and accommodation type.
Make a written record at move-in
A condition report and dated photographs can document pre-existing defects and contents. Keep separate records of rent receipts and utility readings.
Understand maintenance responsibilities
Report safety or maintenance faults in writing and retain correspondence. Check minimum standards and landlord obligations through RTB guidance.
Know where disputes go
Use RTB information on tenancy registration, notice procedures and dispute resolution. This checklist is not a legal interpretation of a particular lease.
Frequently asked questions
Do the 2026 rental rules apply identically to all tenancies?
No. A tenancy start date, type and specific exemptions matter. The RTB explains which reforms apply to new tenancies from 1 March 2026.
Is a signed condition report useful?
Yes. The RTB encourages inventory, photographs and documented condition at the beginning of the tenancy to reduce disputes.
Are Rent Pressure Zones still the correct reference?
No. The RTB describes a national rent control system from 1 March 2026, subject to relevant exceptions and tenancy details.
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