IrelandCan I sublet my rented property?
You can only sublet your rented property in Ireland if your tenancy agreement allows it and you get written consent from your landlord.
What the Law Says
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 sets the legal framework for subletting in Ireland. Section 16 specifically addresses a tenant’s right to assign or sublet.
Under Irish law, a tenant does not have an automatic right to sublet their rented home. Whether you can sublet depends first on what your tenancy agreement says — many leases explicitly forbid subletting without permission.
Even if your lease is silent, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 requires you to obtain your landlord’s written consent before subletting. Doing so without consent may be a breach of your tenancy and could lead to termination proceedings.
The law does not set a time limit for the landlord to respond to your request, but they must act reasonably. Unreasonably withholding consent could be challenged — though the Act itself does not define 'unreasonable' in this context.
Statutory TextA tenant shall not assign or sub-let the dwelling-house or any part thereof without the prior written consent of the landlord.
— Residential Tenancies Act 2004, s. 16
What to Do
Check your tenancy agreement for any clauses about subletting or assignment.
Write to your landlord requesting written consent to sublet — include details like duration and proposed subtenant.
Keep a copy of all correspondence as evidence of your request and their response.
Do not allow anyone to move in as a subtenant until you have received written consent.
If your landlord refuses, consider negotiating or seeking advice from Threshold or the RTB.
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.