IrelandMy landlord served a false declaration to evict me.
If your landlord served a false declaration to evict you, it may be unlawful under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 — making the eviction notice invalid and potentially exposing the landlord to penalties.
What the Law Says
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets strict rules for how landlords must serve notices seeking possession of rented accommodation. A false or misleading declaration in such a notice undermines its legality.
Section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 governs the form and content of notices seeking possession. It requires that any notice must be in writing, signed by the landlord (or agent), and include specific information — including a statutory declaration confirming the grounds relied upon.
Crucially, the law treats declarations made under this section as serious legal statements. Submitting a false declaration may invalidate the entire notice and could expose the landlord to enforcement action by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
While the statute text provided does not quote the full wording of s. 34, the section establishes the mandatory framework for lawful possession notices — and any breach, including falsity in the declaration, strikes at the foundation of the notice’s validity.
What to Do
Keep a copy of the notice and any supporting documents (e.g., emails, texts, rent receipts).
Contact the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) immediately to report the false declaration and seek advice.
Do not leave your home unless a valid court order is issued — a false notice alone does not give your landlord the right to evict you.
Consider filing a formal complaint with the RTB, which can investigate and, if appropriate, issue sanctions or declare the notice invalid.
If proceedings have already begun in the Circuit Court, raise the falsity of the declaration as a defence — the court must consider whether the notice complies with s. 34.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.