IrelandMy landlord refuses to carry out repairs. What can I do?
You can report the issue to your local authority or apply to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for enforcement — the law requires landlords to keep the property in good repair and fit for human habitation.
What the Law Says
Under Irish law, landlords have a legal duty to maintain rented properties in good repair and ensure they remain fit for human habitation.
Section 12 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 places a clear obligation on landlords to keep the structure and exterior of the dwelling in good repair, including drains, gutters, and external pipes. It also requires them to keep the interior in proper working order — covering installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating, and ventilation.
Crucially, the law states that the dwelling must be 'fit for human habitation' at the start of the tenancy and kept that way throughout. This means it must be safe, healthy, and suitable to live in — not just structurally sound but also free from hazards like damp, mould, faulty wiring, or broken heating.
Statutory TextThe landlord shall— (a) keep in good repair and proper working order— (i) the structure and exterior of the dwelling, including drains, gutters and external pipes, and (ii) the installations in the dwelling for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation, space heating and heating water, and (b) ensure that the dwelling is fit for human habitation.
— Residential Tenancies Act 2004, s. 12 — Landlord’s obligations
What to Do
Write to your landlord formally requesting repairs — keep a copy and record the date.
If no action is taken within a reasonable time (e.g., 14 days for urgent issues like no heating in winter), contact your local authority’s Housing Section — they can inspect and serve an improvement notice.
Alternatively, apply to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for a determination or enforcement order — there’s no fee for repair-related applications.
For serious hazards affecting health or safety, you may also be entitled to withhold rent (but only after RTB or local authority involvement — do not withhold without advice).
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.