Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
628. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can ensure that student accommodation located in rent pressure zones is not subject to inflating service charges, as an alternative to rent increases, as providers are restricted in increasing rents in these areas. [37628/26]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2026 (the RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the residential rental sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the RTA to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
Section 16 of the RTA obliges a tenant to pay any charges or taxes in accordance with the lease or tenancy agreement unless they are unlawful or contravene any other enactment. In general, the question of whether or not a tenant has to pay charges to a landlord depends on the terms of the lease or tenancy agreement. The amount of any such charges, if applicable, is a matter to be agreed between landlord and tenant. Contract law governs such arrangements. The specific terms associated with an individual tenant’s rights and obligations are likely to be set out in a written contract signed by both the tenant and the landlord.
Where there is a disagreement regarding charges payable under a lease or tenancy agreement, the tenant or landlord may refer a dispute to the RTB for resolution.
