Privately Rented Accommodation
The majority of migrants coming to Ireland live in private rented accommodation. Private rented accommodation is usually an apartment or house which is owned by a landlord who rents to tenants. Rent is usually paid weekly or monthly. In general, this accommodation will be furnished.
Before a person moves into accommodation they will usually sign a lease or contract and pay an initial deposit equal to one month's rent. If State support for private rented accommodation is being sought, please contact the appropriate Community Welfare Officer prior to entering into any contract or paying a deposit or rent.
The cost and quality of rental accommodation varies throughout Ireland. To find out more and to search for private rental accommodation, you can look up websites such as www.daft.ie, www.let.ie, www.myhome2let.ie, look in local newspapers or visit real estate agencies.
The Vincentian Refugee Centre and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul have produced an information leaflet for migrants in English, Polish, Romanian, Arabic, Russian, Slovakian, Somalian and French. This provides basic information about renting in Ireland.
Where to go if you are experiencing difficulties?
- The Private Residential Tenancies Board is a State body which offers a dispute resolution service to landlords and tenants.
- Threshold is a not-for-profit organisation which provides information and advice on rented accommodation in Ireland. Threshold have three centres in Ireland: in Dublin (01-6353651), Cork (021-427 8848) and Galway (091-563080). On the homepage you will find the publication – Threshold’s guide to renting. You can download this document in the following languages; English, Spanish, French, Malay, Russian, Czech, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Chinese, Lithuanian, Arabic and Portuguese. Information and advice given by Threshold is only a general guide and is not a definitive interpretation of the law.
Tax relief
If you live in private rented accommodation and you pay income tax (PAYE), you may be eligible for tax relief on part of your rent. To apply, you must complete a Rent 1 form, which is available from your local tax office or from www.revenue.ie/forms/rent1.pdf. Once you have completed the form, you should return it to your local tax office.
Financial Assistance for people unable to pay their own rent
In certain cases, a person who is living in private rented accommodation and who qualifies for a social welfare payment may be able to apply for a rent supplement.
In general, to qualify for this payment, you must satisfy certain conditions. Please refer to your local Community Welfare Officer for guidance prior to entering into any commitment.
To find out more about Rent Supplement, visit the Department of Social Protection website at this link. Before you can qualify for rent supplement, it is necessary to first register a need for housing with your local authority.”
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