The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB ) has launched a new campaign in partnership with Galway County Council to ensure landlords register their tenancies as required by law. The initiative follows research by the Central Statistics Office (CSO ) last year that suggested 7.6% of tenancies in Galway County that should be registered with the RTB are not.
The RTB is targeting seven counties with higher levels of potentially unregistered tenancies through a wider campaign. The other counties in focus are Louth, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Monaghan and Tipperary.
The campaign will see Galway County Council working closely with the RTB to increase landlord awareness of the need to register tenancies annually. Advertising on local radio, in local papers, on social media and posters in public buildings across Galway will remind landlords that they must register their tenancies annually.
The campaign will also highlight the serious consequences of failure to register. These can include a civil sanction of up to €15,000 or a criminal prosecution and/or a fine of up to €4,000.
In addition to public information activities, the new drive also aims to increase data sharing and referrals of unregistered tenancies by Galway County Council’s housing teams to the RTB.
Speaking on the campaign, Rosemary Steen, Director of the RTB said that ensuring that every tenancy that should be registered is registered is a key priority for the Residential Tenancies Board. “I would like to thank our partners in Galway County Council for working with us to drive our message that landlords must register their tenancies or face prosecution.
Through their responsibility to inspect rental properties and ensure they comply with minimum standards, local authorities have unparalleled on-the-ground knowledge of the rental sector in their areas.
We appreciate Galway County Council’s commitment to work with us to increase referrals of unregistered tenancies this year.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council said Galway County Council’s partnership with the Residential Tenancies Board will increase the number of transparent and legally registered rental accommodations across our county, which enhances its ability to maintain high housing standards and protects tenants’ rights.
“Legal compliance within the local rental market also ensures Galway County Council can provide the necessary supports to responsible landlords,” he added.
The public information campaign will run from February 11-28. Collaboration between Galway County Council and the RTB to identify unregistered tenancies and drive compliance will continue throughout 2025.
