Starting a tenancy: tenant responsibilities
5 tasks in suggested order
1. Review and keep a written tenancy agreement
Before the tenancy starts, review the tenancy agreement and keep your copy. The RTB tenant checklist recommends a written agreement covering the property, landlord and tenant details, rent/deposit payments, responsibilities, additional terms, ending the tenancy and signatures.
Before the tenancy starts and before you commit to terms you do not understand.
With the landlord or letting agent; RTB provides official tenancy guidance and a sample agreement.
Your identity/contact details and any references requested; read the full proposed agreement before signing.
Get a copy before the tenancy starts. Make sure payment terms, responsibilities, notice arrangements and any extra terms are clear.
Official source: Residential Tenancies Board
2. Pay the security deposit with a written record and receipt
If a security deposit is required, make sure there is a written record of the amount paid, who will hold it, and the conditions for its return.
When paying the deposit, before or at the start of the tenancy.
To the landlord or agent under the agreed tenancy arrangements.
A traceable payment method where possible and the agreed deposit terms.
Keep the receipt and written deposit terms. Deposit deductions can arise for rent arrears, unpaid bills, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or insufficient notice.
Official source: Residential Tenancies Board
3. Agree the inventory and record the property condition
Check the inventory/condition report, have it agreed by both sides, and take dated photos of the property and contents at the beginning of the tenancy.
At or immediately before moving in, before disputes about pre-existing damage can arise.
At the rented property with the landlord or agent.
Inventory/condition report, phone/camera for dated photos, and copies of any meter readings or handover records.
Keep the signed inventory and photos for the whole tenancy. They can be important evidence when the tenancy ends.
Official source: Residential Tenancies Board
4. Check the rent-setting notice and how the starting rent was calculated
For a private tenancy starting from 1 March 2026, the landlord must give you a rent-setting notice at the start of the tenancy. The notice must explain the rent and include the supporting information required by the RTB rules.
At the start of the tenancy, before you rely on the starting rent as correctly set.
From the landlord; use the RTB rent-setting guidance and Rent Calculator to check the calculation.
The rent-setting notice, the previous rent/date information shown on it, the RTB Rent Calculator printout and any comparable-rent information required for the tenancy.
For tenancies created from 1 March 2026, annual increases are generally limited to 2% or CPI inflation, whichever is lower, unless a specific exception applies.
Official source: Residential Tenancies Board
5. Check that the landlord registers the tenancy with the RTB
The landlord must register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board within one month of the tenancy starting. The tenant should receive an RTB registration confirmation with the registered-tenancy number.
Within the first month after the tenancy starts.
Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Registration is the landlord’s responsibility; the tenant can report a tenancy that is not registered.
Your tenancy start date, property details and any RTB registration confirmation you receive.
Keep the RTB registration confirmation and RT number with your tenancy records.
Official source: Residential Tenancies Board
