On 04 April 2022, annual registration was introduced for the rental sector. This will apply to new and existing tenancies.
When to renew your registration?
Taking effect from 4 April 2022, a landlord is obliged to apply to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to register a tenancy - or a licence in Student Specific Accommodation (SSA) - within 1 month of its commencement date and every year after this, on the anniversary of the date the tenancy began, for so long as the tenancy/SSA licence exists.
For existing tenancies, from 4 April 2022, each year on the anniversary of the date the tenancy began, landlords must re-register that tenancy on an annual basis, for so long as the tenancy/SSA licence exists.
Registration reminders and support will be provided to landlords by the RTB to help compliance with this new annual obligation. Reminders are dependent upon landlords having kept all their information up to date.
How to register a tenancy annually?
The process for registering a new tenancy will not change. The easiest way to register a tenancy is by using an RTB online account. If you do not already have an RTB online account, you can create one by clicking here.
Please note, if registering a tenancy by post, older versions of the RTB1 form will not be accepted and the most up-to-date version of the form must be used. The appropriate version of the form can be downloaded on this page under 'Related Downloads'.
The RTB will remind landlords when each tenancy is due to be registered each year. These reminders are dependent upon landlords keeping their information up to date.
The RTB Account Information Hub provides useful information and step-by-step instructional videos on how to create an RTB online account, link your existing tenancies and register a tenancy.
Visit the RTB Account Information Hub by clicking here.
Information on Annual Registration is available here.
If you need assistance our customer contact service is available during regular business hours.
Types of Tenancies
A fixed term tenancy is a tenancy that lasts for a specific amount of time. A ‘Part 4’ tenancy runs alongside a fixed term tenancy, which means that the tenant shall, after a period of 6 months living in the tenancy become entitled to the provisions of a ‘Part 4’ tenancy (i.e. they can stay in the property for the remainder of the ‘Part 4’ tenancy period).
This means that irrespective of the length of fixed term lease, a tenant has an entitlement to remain in the dwelling for the remainder of the ‘Part 4’ tenancy period and the landlord can only terminate the tenancy on limited grounds. The length of a ‘Part 4’ or ‘further Part 4’ tenancy depends on when the tenancy began.
Click here for further information on ‘Part 4’ tenancies.
Click here for information on ending a tenancy.
Tenancy Confirmation Letter
Once the tenancy registration has been fully processed by the RTB and paid in full by the landlord, both landlord and tenant(s) will receive a letter, confirming the tenancy has been registered. Letters of confirmation are issued by e-mail or post, depending on the preferred method of communication chosen by the landlord. Typically letters to the tenants are issued by post, unless the RTB has received a request to do so by e-mail. Tenancy confirmation letters are important documents and should be kept in a safe place as landlords and tenants, may need to refer to it during the tenancy or after the tenancy has ended.
Landlords may use the confirmation letter as a receipt for payment of the registration fee, where appropriate. Landlords may be requested to provide this confirmation letter to the Revenue Commissioners when seeking mortgage interest relief on residential properties. Tenants may require proof of their tenancy for a number of State Agencies – the confirmation letter may be required for this purpose also.