2 minute read
Renting & Accommodation
Rights of Tenants
• You have the right to privacy. Once you are living in your new home, the landlord is only allowed to enter with your permission. This means that if the landlord wants to do repairs or check the accommodation, they should arrange a suitable time with you.
• Accommodation must be fit to live in.
The house should be safe and secure, and rodents of any kind, mice/rats or even ants are not acceptable so get on to your landlord as soon as possible if these appear.
• Rent can only be increased every two years as per the Residential Tenancies
Amendment Act 2015. • If something in the house/apartment breaks and is not your fault, the landlord is obliged to repair/replace the item and pay for it.
• Prompt return of full deposit should be made to the tenant unless rent is owed or there has been damage to the property.
• All landlords are required by law to register with the Private Tenancies Board (PRTB) - in order to do this, he/she needs the following information from you: your PPS Number and your signature on the registration form. If you are not asked for this information, it’s likely that your tenancy hasn’t been registered. To check if your landlord is registered visit www.
prtb.ie
As with all relationships, it works both ways. The tenant also has obligations to the landlord:
• Respect the landlord and their property.
Remember you are only renting the house/ apartment, you do not own it. • Pay the rent at the agreed time and in full. • Pay charges e.g. bin/television license payable by the tenant under the terms of the lease. • Respect your neighbours. It’s a lot easier and will be more enjoyable in the long term.
A party at 3am may seem like a good idea at the time, but remember your actions do have consequences. Scaring or upsetting elderly neighbours and children is not exactly cool. Aim to be a law abiding neighbour. • Allow the landlord to access the property for occasional inspections or if repairs are needed.
• Ask your landlord for permission before making any alterations to the property.
Doing simple things like using white tack instead of blue tack, sticky tape or even nails can save a lot of hassle when it comes to moving out and looking for your full deposit back.
Keep the house clean and tidy and take the rubbish out weekly. Leaving dishes until the morning may seem easier at the time, but the leftover food will attract unwanted guests. Trust me on this, plus friends are more likely to visit if you have a pleasant smelling house/apartment.
