The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) has launched a new campaign in partnership with Monaghan 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 10.9% of tenancies in Monaghan 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, Galway and Tipperary.
The campaign will see Monaghan 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 Monaghan 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 Monaghan County Council’s housing teams to the RTB.
Speaking on the campaign, Rosemary Steen, Director of the RTB said:
“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 Monaghan 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 Monaghan County Council’s commitment to work with us to increase referrals of unregistered tenancies this year.”
Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council said:
“This campaign highlights the importance of tenancy registration in protecting both landlords and tenants, ensuring transparency, and upholding fair rental practices. Landlords are urged to act now and register their tenancies annually to avoid penalties and remain compliant with the law. In Monaghan County Council, we look forward to working in partnership with the RTB to ensure compliance and protect tenancy rights”
The public information campaign will run from 11th to 28th February. Collaboration between Monaghan County Council and the RTB to identify unregistered tenancies and drive compliance will continue throughout 2025.