Rent house or flat in Dublin

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Although prices vary, the Southside neighbourhoods are the most expensive, such as Dublin 2, 4 and 6. Prices can range from 800 euros a month for a studio, to 1000 euros for a one-bedroom apartment.

Note that you will have to add additional bills like gas, electricity, telephone, and TV licence, usually in periods of every two months. You should inquire whether these bills have to be paid on a month-to-month basis that requires you to read the electricity, water, gas etc. meter every month, or if a balanced payment plan is available, i.e., paying a set price every month and doing a recalculation at the end of the year. Balanced payments are recommended particularly for heating bills as they cost little to nothing in the summer but may result in unexpectedly high monthly bills during the winter months.

Rent is paid one calendar month in advance and a deposit will be required. Ensure that you get a receipt of this payment to get your money back. You will sign a contract for a period of time but you can be released from it before if it is specified in the contract.

When you move into the flat, it is recommended to sign an inventory, meticulously detailed, to confirm the state of the accommodation and furniture (if furnished). This is also your guarantee in case anything is damaged. For anything broken, or for all further improvements, you will need to ask the landlord. Unlike when buying, you theoretically need to ask the authorisation for all future changes that you wish to make to the accommodation.

How to Search for a Rental in Dublin

When deciding to rent a flat by yourself, you have two choices: either check on daft.ie or go to see an estate agent.

Online

Around 85% of all properties in Ireland are found online. The best websites for starting a search are:

Another online resource is the Dublin classifieds on EasyExpat. You can also chat with other expats on the Ireland forum and share and receive advice.

Newspapers

Newspapers are a good source for searching available real estate, both in small cities and the country capital, Dublin. For property ads consult the print versions of the main Irish publications:

Rental Agent

Hiring a real estate agent may save you a lot of time and worry. An agent will consult you on your search, accompany you to the viewings, help with drawing up the necessary documents for signing the contract and, if necessary, also consult on options for receiving a credit. The price of the rental agent's services can vary from agent to agent thus it is necessary to discuss it beforehand and sign a contract. The agent is paid only when the contract for buying the property has been signed.

Keep in mind: If the real estate agent is hired by the landlord in whose property you are interested in, the costs of the agent should be covered by the property owner. Typically, depending on the agreement and the total cost of the transaction, the agent is paid a higher or lower percentage. The more expensive the property, the smaller percentage goes to the real estate agent. The price for the real estate agent's services is negotiated between the client and the agent and is paid once the deal has been closed and the payment of the property has been completed.

Daft.ie publishes more than 430 results for Estate Agents with offices in Dublin

Visit the Apartment

Before you sign a rental contract, it is highly recommended to visit the apartment that you are interested in. In addition to gaining a general impression of the property you should:

  • Ascertain that all the equipment from plumbing to electronic devices are in good working order
  • Ask for samples of bills for utility costs
  • Inquire about the neighbours to know what to expect while living in the building
  • Sign an inventory, meticulously detailed, to confirm the state of the accommodation and furniture (if furnished).

Rental Contracts in Ireland

A rental contract is only valid only in a written form and should have two copies: one for the tenant, and one for the landlord.

The contract should specify:

  • The date and means (cash, bank transfer) of paying the rent. For payments in cash always make sure to receive a signed receipt
  • Whether the contract is open-ended or has an ending date
  • Whether the tenant or the landlord deals with the utility payments, e.g., for hot water, gas, and electricity. If the utilities are paid by the landlord, the contract should specify the monthly cost
  • Whether a security deposit or a pre-payment is required and, if yes, the sum and means of payment

Upon moving in it is recommended to sign an inventory document listing the furniture, documenting the condition of the apartment and the technical condition of the electronic equipment, and the readings of the meters for water, electricity, gas etc. This document should be prepared in two copies and signed by the tenant and the landlord.

Notice that unless specified in the rental contract, a contract can be terminated with one month's notice. The landlord can terminate the contract only in a limited number of cases, most notably, if the tenant has damaged the rental property, or uses the property for purposes not specified in the contract.

Information about of your rights and your obligations as a tenant and your landlord's rights and obligations can be found on the links attached.

Rights and Obligations when Renting in Ireland

Be aware of your rights and your obligations as a tenant and your landlord's rights and obligations. Your landlord, for example, is obliged to provide you with a rent book and to ensure that the accommodation meets certain minimum physical standards. They must also register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

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

Your tenancy is not covered by landlord and tenant legislation if you are renting a room in your landlord's home, but it is covered if you are renting a self-contained apartment or flat.

Renting out a Room in your Home in Dublin

If you rent out a room (or rooms) in your home to private tenants, the rental income you earn will be exempt from income tax, provided this income does not exceed a certain limit in a tax year. This is called the rent-a-room relief. A self-contained unit, such as a basement flat or a converted garage attached to your home, can qualify for this relief.

While renting out a room that is part of your home is not covered by landlord and tenant law, renting out a self-contained unit is covered.

For you to qualify for rent-a room relief, your home must be located in the State and you must occupy it as your sole residence during the year of assessment. This means that it is your home for the greater part of the year and is where people would normally expect to make contact with you. You do not have to own the property - you could be a tenant and be sub-letting to someone else (In such cases, you would have to check with your own landlord that sub-letting is allowed).

The relief applies only to residential tenancies, not to short-term guest arrangements. The occupants must be using the room on a long-term basis. For example, renting a room to a student for the academic year. If you qualify for rent-a-room relief, the income you get from renting out the room is not liable to PRSI, the Universal Social Charge or income tax. However, it must be included on your annual income tax return.

Rent-a-room relief will not affect your mortgage interest relief or your exemption from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if you sell your home.

For more information visit:

Threshold (21 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7)

Tel: 1890 334 334
Fax: (01) 677 2407
Email: advice@threshold.ie

Update 16/02/2021


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