Advice if you’re looking to rent a home

It can be difficult to find private rented accommodation. So, to ensure you find somewhere that suits you, you should consider these questions before viewing places:

How much can you afford in rent and bills?

What is the standard of the accommodation?

What is the Building Energy Rating (BER)?

What is its location? Is it near to your work or college?

How long do you plan to stay there?

Do you want to share a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen?

Most rooms, flats, apartments and houses to rent are d on websites. You can search for a particular type of accommodation and set up alerts for your specific requirements.

You may also find rented accommodation to let in newspapers, in ads in shops, by word of mouth, or though social media pages dedicated to finding and renting accommodation.

If you are a student, check on college notice boards and at your student union

There are also accommodation or letting agencies, which may charge you a fee. Before ing with one, you should find out:

• Is the agency licensed?
• What services does it offer?
• If you pay a fee, in what circumstances will you get a refund?

If you with the agency, ensure you get a receipt for any money you pay.

What to consider on a viewing

Minimum standards apply to rented accommodation. You may find this checklist helpful:

• Are there any signs of dampness?
• Do the windows open?
• What security is available (such as window locks, burglar alarm)?
• Does it have a working smoke detector?
• Is there a fire alarm? Check fire evacuation procedures
• Who pays for the heating? What hours is it on, and who controls it?
• Is there hot water all or some of the time?
• Are the cooker and fridge clean and working?
• ?What sort of condition is the bathroom in?
• Do you have to share the bathroom, if so, with how many others?
• Is there storage for bicycles?
• Is there a bus route or other public transport nearby?
• Are there shops and other facilities nearby?
• Does the property have a parking space?

What should I do before I agree to rent?

Ensure you can afford the rent, either from your own income or with State , such as Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), Rent Supplement, or Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). If you will be claiming Rent Supplement or HAP, ensure you know the local maximum rent level allowed. There is some flexibility in certain situations, allowing for higher rents to be covered.

Be aware of your rights and obligations as a tenant, and your landlord’s rights and obligations. 

For example, your landlord must provide you with a rent book and ensure the accommodation meets certain minimum physical standards. They must with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) annually.

If a landlord wants you to sign a fixed-term lease, don’t agree unless you are sure you want to stay that length of time. If you leave before the end of a fixed-term lease, you may lose your deposit.

If you are renting a room in your landlord’s home, your tenancy is not covered by landlord and tenant legislation, but it is covered if you are renting a self-contained apartment or flat. Read more in our document on sharing accommodation with your landlord.

At the start of a tenancy, ask the landlord for a written list of all furnishings and appliances. You should both sign this list to show you agree on the furnishings supplied and their condition. This will help prevent disputes during your stay and when you are leaving. This list should be included in the rent book.

Ensure you note any signs of damage by previous tenants. 

You could photograph or otherwise record the existing condition of the property, including any damage to walls, furniture or appliances. If there are outstanding repairs, ask the landlord to state in writing that they will be completed.

What are the rules about deposits?

Some landlords or agents may ask for a holding deposit when you decide to take the accommodation. This is a sum paid to hold the property before you sign a lease and enter into a contract with the landlord. Always get a written receipt for a holding deposit, they are often not refundable if you don’t take up the accommodation.

You will be asked for a security deposit before moving in. The landlord holds this as security to cover any rent arrears, bills owing or damage beyond normal wear and tear at the end of the tenancy.

How much should I pay for a deposit?

You cannot be forced to make upfront payments of more than two months’ rent. This includes a deposit of a month’s rent and a month’s rent in advance. 

Students in student-specific tenancies can opt-out of this restriction and pay a larger upfront payment if they want.

Can I get help to pay a deposit?

The Department of Social Protection’s representative may be able to help with paying a deposit under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.

If you are in emergency homeless accommodation, your local authority may help with your deposit to get accommodation under the HAP scheme. the housing section of your local authority for further information.

Can I lose my deposit?

You should get a receipt for any deposit you pay. Your rent book should state how much you paid. You may lose your deposit if:

• You leave without giving proper notice, or leave before the end of a fixed-term lease
• You cause damage to the accommodation beyond normal wear and tear
• You leave with bills or rent unpaid.

When looking for a place to rent, beware of scams, which generally fall into 3 categories:

• The scammer asks for a deposit but claims they can’t show you the property as they are out of the country
• The scammer is living at the property, shows it to different people and asks for rent off each one. They then disappear with the money.
• The process seems to go well, but you are given fake keys and the scammer disappears

If you’ve been scammed, your bank or credit card company immediately. If you’ve transferred money online or given your bank details to someone, your bank can cancel your cards. If you’ve been charged already, you may be able to get the transaction reversed. Report the incident to your local Garda station and to Threshold, who can help to alert others.

Threshold is a useful source of information and advice on landlord and tenant issues, Tel: 021 427 8848