IrelandI want to assign my lease to another person.
You cannot assign your residential lease to another person in Ireland without your landlord’s written consent, and even with consent, the original tenant remains legally liable for rent and obligations under the lease.
What the Law Says
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 governs most private residential tenancies in Ireland and sets strict limits on assigning leases.
Under Irish law, a tenant does not have an automatic right to assign (i.e., transfer) their residential lease to someone else. Section 16 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 is the key provision — it states that any assignment of a tenancy is only valid if the landlord gives their prior written consent.
Even if the landlord agrees, the original tenant remains fully responsible for all obligations under the lease — including rent, damage, and compliance with tenancy conditions — unless the landlord expressly releases them in writing. This means the landlord can still hold you accountable if the new occupant fails to pay rent or breaches the agreement.
This rule applies to all tenancies covered by the Act — generally, most private rented homes where the tenant lives as their main residence and isn’t living with the landlord.
Statutory TextA tenancy may be assigned only with the prior written consent of the landlord.
— Residential Tenancies Act 2004, s. 16 — Assignment of tenancy
What to Do
Ask your landlord in writing for permission to assign the lease — clearly name the proposed assignee and include their contact details.
Get any consent in writing; verbal agreement is not sufficient under the law.
Do not move out or hand over keys until you have written consent and understand whether you’ll remain liable.
If the landlord refuses consent, you cannot lawfully assign — consider ending the tenancy properly (e.g., giving correct notice) instead.
Seek advice from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) or a legal advisor before proceeding.
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.