Landlord's Obligations

A landlord must:

• Give the tenant receipts for rent if the tenant pays in cash.
• If asked, give the tenant a statement saying what period the rent paid relates to.
• Give the tenant 60 days written notice of a rent increase.
• Give the tenant 48 hours notice of an inspection.
• Give the tenant 24 hours notice of entry to make repairs.
• Inform the tenant of any intention to sell the property.
• Make sure the locks and fastenings are working and are adequate.
• Make any necessary repairs within a reasonable time period.
• Reimburse the tenant for any urgent repair work that the tenant had to have done (as long as the tenant attempted to notify the landlord before having the work done).
• Make sure the property is clean and in a fit and habitable condition at the beginning of and during the tenancy.
• Pay all outgoings; rates, insurance, land tax etc.
• Take reasonable steps to ensure that tenants aren't disturbed by the landlords other tenants.

A landlord must not:

• Ask for more than two weeks rent in advance at the start of the tenancy.
• At any stage during the tenancy, ask for more rent in advance to be paid.
• Inspect the property more than once in four weeks, except as allowed for to check on work done by the tenant.
• Harass the tenant.
• Interfere with, or allow others to interfere with a tenant's reasonable peace, privacy and comfort.
• Interfere with the gas, water, electricity supply or telephone.
• Unreasonably withhold permission (particularly if in breach of the Human Rights Act) for a tenant to sublet or assign the tenancy to someone else if not prohibited by the Tenancy Agreement.
• Change the locks without the tenant's consent.
• Enter the property except as permitted by law or with the tenant's consent.

You can find a lot of information for landlords on the Department of Building and Housing's website

If you need further assistance while looking to rent or renting your property, please contact us.