Who is entitled to a rent book?

Every tenant paying rent is legally entitled to have a rent book supplied by the landlord. This applies to houses rented by private landlords, voluntary bodies, local authorities or employers, if a rent is payable. A rent book is not needed for a holiday letting.

When must the rent book be supplied?

The rent book must be supplied to the tenant by the landlord at the commencement of the tenancy.

What is a rent book?

Basically, a rent book is a record of rent and other payments made by a tenant to the landlord. However by law, a rent book must also contain other information related to the tenancy. Usually, a rent book will be in booklet form but it may be in another form provided it contains all the necessary details.

What information must be included in the rent book?

The rent book must include:

• the address of the house
• the name and address of the landlord and of the landlord's agent (if any)
• the tenant's name
• the term (i.e. period) of the tenancy
• the amount of the rent and when and how it is to be paid
• particulars of any payments, other than rent, to be made by the tenant to the landlord for services, e.g.
• for heating or piped television
• the amount and purpose of any deposit paid by the tenant and the conditions under which it will be
• refunded by the landlord
• a statement of information which advises tenants of their basic rights
• the date of commencement of the tenancy
• an inventory of furnishings and appliances supplied by the landlord for the tenant's exclusive use.

Who makes the entries in the rent book?

The landlord must enter the information relating to an individual tenancy in the rent book when it is being given to the tenant. Any subsequent changes in this information must be entered in the rent book by the landlord within one month of the change. This would happen if, for example, there was a rent increase or if the landlord appointed a new agent. The landlord is also responsible for recording the rent and other payments that may be needed if any query arises.

How are rent and other payments recorded?

Where rent or other payments for services are made in person by the tenant (or by a person acting for the tenant) to the landlord, the landlord must, at that time either:
record the payment and sign for it in the rent book, or provide a signed receipt containing full details of the payment.
Where payments are made other than in person (e.g. by standing order, bank giro, etc.) the landlord must, within three months, either record and sign for the payment in the rent book or give the tenant a written statement of the payment.

Who holds the rent book?

The rent book should be held and carefully looked after by the tenant. It contains details of the letting that have been agreed between the tenant and the landlord and provides a record of rent and other payments that may be needed if any queries arise. The tenant is however, obliged to make the rent book available to the landlord so that the landlord can make any necessary changes in it and record rent and other payments.

For Further Information

Threshold National Housing Organisation
www.threshold.ie
Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB)
www.prtb.ie
Union of Students in Ireland
www.usi.ie
Department of the Environment and Local Government.
www.environ.ie