As the majority of people in Ireland, foreigners in particular, are renting their homes from landlords or agencies, it is quite strange that so many people don't know some basic facts about renting.
Did you know:
1. That, if your main income is from social welfare, you have a right for Rent Supplement - money to help you pay private rented accommodation?
2. That if you are living in Ireland for more than10 years (or prior to 07/12/2010 you may qualify for tax relief on the rent you pay?
3. That Fully Furnished in Ireland means that you have a sofa or couch and other seating, coffee table/TV table, kitchen/dining table and chairs, beds and mattresses, bedside lockers, large appliances (fridge/freezer, cooker, washing machine), carpets or flooring, window blinds and/or curtains? Now, you also have to have a microwave and often kettle.
4. That you have Part 4 Rights if you lived in a rental property for 6 months or more? This happens automatically and gives you additional rights as a tenant.
5. That you can legally terminate a lease if you offer to assign the lease to a new tenant and the landlord refuses to consent? So if you want to move out of a property for any reason (you find better and/or cheaper place to rent) and you find someone to step-in instead of you, you have a right to terminate a lease without consequence even if landlord objects or don't agree. We know the reason why he would not agree with a new person moving in - the greed. If your 12 months of rent ends, a landlord can raise the price of rent to an amount he/she likes (if rent cap is not in order), but if someone new moves in, this may not be the case.
6. That hanging your pictures on the walls without written consent by a landlord will be taken from your deposit? Also, any cuts or rips on curtains or carpet that you didn't take note when you moved in, will be taken from your deposit, even if a landlord did make them.
7. That reasonable tear and wear depend on the fact are you single or you have kids in the property?
8. That the landlord can increase the rent once in any 12 months period?
9. That all rooms must contain a fixed heating appliance? And that you must be able to control it? It can't be automatic!
10. That every room must have proper ventilation?
11. That if you don't have a garden, your washing machine has to have a tumble dryer?
12. That all habitable rooms must have adequate natural lighting?
13. That you must have access to proper, pest and vermin-proof refuse storage facilities?
14. That you should know the building energy rating (BER)?
These are some of the legal requirements and data so few or people renting knows. Some of them were completely new to me, too.
