The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) provides a formal dispute resolution service for landlords and tenants in Ireland, covering issues like deposit disputes, unlawful rent increases, and disputed terminations. This page is general information, not legal advice for your own case.
What the RTB's dispute process generally covers
Common dispute types include deposit retention disagreements, disputes over the validity of a termination notice, rent increases believed to breach RPZ rules, and disrepair or breach-of-obligation complaints from either side — the RTB's process is generally intended as a faster, lower-cost alternative to going straight to court.
How the process generally works
A dispute generally starts with an application to the RTB, which may be followed by mediation, adjudication, or a hearing before a tribunal depending on how the case develops and whether the parties reach agreement earlier in the process — timelines and exact procedural steps are set by the RTB and can change, so checking current guidance before starting is worthwhile.
Preparing to raise a dispute
Gathering relevant documentation in advance — the tenancy agreement, rent payment records, written communication with the other party, and any relevant photos — generally makes a dispute easier to progress, since RTB decisions are based on evidence presented rather than either party's account alone.
Key takeaways
Keep thorough records throughout a tenancy in case a dispute arises later, check current RTB guidance on timelines and process before applying, and treat the RTB's dispute resolution service as the standard first step rather than going straight to independent legal action.