How to register a tenancy with the RTB
Since 2022, you register every tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board every year, not just once. It's quick when you know what's needed, and the penalties for leaving it late add up. Here's the whole thing in plain English.
What you'll need
- The address and details of the rented property.
- The tenancy start date and the monthly rent.
- Each tenant's name and contact details.
- An RTB account (you can set one up in a few minutes).
Step by step
- 1
Set up or sign in to your RTB account
Registration is done online through the RTB. If it's your first time, create an account first.
- 2
Enter the tenancy details
Add the property, the tenants, the start date and the rent. Have the figures to hand so it's done in one sitting.
- 3
Pay the fee
The standard fee is €40 a year per tenancy when you register on time. You can pay by card as you submit.
- 4
Save your RTB number
Once it's processed you'll get an RTB registration number for the tenancy. Keep it safe. You'll need it for any dispute and for next year's renewal.
The key numbers
€40
a year, per tenancy, registering on time
1 month
from the tenancy start date to register
€10
a month late fee once you miss the deadline
Every year
registration renews annually, not once-off
Common questions
How much does it cost to register?
€40 a year for each tenancy when you register within a month of the start date. Miss that window and a €10-a-month late fee is added for each month you're late.
Do I really have to register every year?
Yes. Since 2022, registration renews annually rather than once at the start of the tenancy.
What happens if I register late?
A late fee of €10 a month applies for each month past the deadline, on top of the €40. Registering on time is by far the cheaper path.
What do I get out of it?
An RTB registration number for the tenancy. You'll need it if a dispute ever goes to the RTB, and for renewing next year.
Where do I find my RTB registered number?
The RTB issues the number, called the RT number, once your registration is processed. It's listed per tenancy under Manage Registrations in your RTB account, in the column the RTB calls Registered Tenancy (RT)/Draft Number. Keep the confirmation the RTB sends you.
How do I check if a tenancy or property is registered?
Use the tenancy registration check on RTB.ie with the address or the Eircode. The result comes back Found = Y or Found = N. Online registrations appear within 48 hours, while paper applications take longer. The Register lists current tenancies only, and student-specific accommodation tenancies sit on a separate register. It's exact about address formatting, so try a few variations if the address doesn't come up.
What happens if a tenancy is not registered?
Annual registration is a legal obligation, and the RTB enforces it two ways. It can prosecute, which can mean a criminal conviction, a fine of up to €4,000, up to six months in prison, and €250 for each day the tenancy stays unregistered, as well as paying the RTB's legal costs. Or it can impose a civil sanction of up to €15,000 and €15,000 in costs for each unregistered tenancy. Anyone can report an unregistered tenancy through the RTB webform.
Registered, and now the applications are rolling in?
RightTenantry analyses every applicant and ranks your shortlist, so you can pick the right tenant with evidence, not a gut feeling.
Register, and check the current fees, on the official RTB registration pages. Sources for the three lookup answers above, checked July 2026: the tenancy registration check, the RTB page on the consequences of not registering, and managing your registrations in your RTB account.
This is general information for Irish landlords, not legal or financial advice. The rules change, so check the current position with the RTB before you act.