How to Get Your Deposit Back in Ireland

Losing your rental deposit is one of the most frustrating

experiences for tenants in Ireland. The good news is that with

the right preparation, you can protect yourself and maximise

your chances of getting every euro back.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Under Irish law, your landlord must return your deposit within

a reasonable time after you move out — typically within 14 days.

They can only make deductions for unpaid rent, damage beyond

normal wear and tear, or unpaid utility bills. They cannot

deduct for normal wear and tear such as minor scuffs on walls,

small nail holes, or carpet wear from regular use.

If a dispute arises, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is

the official body that handles deposit disputes in Ireland.

In 2024, deposit retention was the second most common reason

for RTB complaints — and 56% of all cases related to cleaning

and minor damage.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING

The single most important thing you can do is document the

condition of the property thoroughly — both when you move in

and when you move out. Take timestamped photos of every room,

every wall, every appliance. Note any existing damage on your

move-in checklist and make sure your landlord acknowledges it

in writing.

A professional property condition report provides geotagged,

timestamped photographic evidence that clearly distinguishes

between pre-existing damage and anything that occurred during

your tenancy. This is exactly the kind of documentation the

RTB looks for when adjudicating deposit disputes.

CLEAN PROFESSIONALLY

Cleaning is the number one reason landlords withhold deposits

in Ireland. If you are moving out, a professional end of tenancy

clean — including oven, extractor, limescale removal and deep

bathroom clean — is almost always worth the investment compared

to losing part of your deposit.

REPAIR MINOR DAMAGE

Small chips in laminate flooring, scratches on furniture,

scuffs on skirting boards — these are exactly the kind of minor

issues that landlords use to justify deductions. Getting these

professionally repaired before your checkout inspection costs

far less than what a landlord might deduct.

GIVE PROPER NOTICE

Make sure you give the correct notice period in writing.

Failure to give proper notice is itself grounds for a deposit

deduction under Irish law. For tenancies under 6 months the

notice period is 28 days; for 6-12 months it is 35 days.

HOW DEPOSIT SAVER CAN HELP

Deposit Saver provides a complete end of tenancy service for

tenants and landlords across Athlone and the Midlands. Our

Tier 1 inspection report documents the property condition with

timestamped photos and fair wear and tear notes. Our Tier 2

Report + Fix service adds professional restoration of chips,

scratches and minor damage. Our Tier 3 Full Turnover package

includes everything plus a deep professional clean — leaving

the property ready for the next tenant and your deposit ready

to come back to you.

Get in touch today at hello@depositsaver.ie or book directly

through our website.