Can my landlord evict me in Ireland?
Only on valid statutory grounds, with correct notice and a copy to the RTB — tenants have strong security of tenure. A landlord's termination notice must be written, signed and dated, state the termination date, and a copy must be served on the RTB the same day — no RTB copy means the notice is invalid. Since 1 March 2026, new tenancies become a "tenancy of minimum duration": after 6 months without a valid notice, the tenant gains security for a renewing 6-year cycle. Large landlords (4+ tenancies, or any company) can now end such a tenancy only for tenant breach or unsuitability — they can no longer evict to sell, move in or renovate. Smaller landlords have a limited set of grounds, often needing a statutory declaration. Notice periods run from 90 up to 224 days. In short: yes, but only on proper grounds with valid notice.
📋 The rules
- Notice must be written, signed, dated + RTB copy same day
- No RTB copy = the notice is invalid
- New tenancies get a renewing 6-year security cycle
- Large landlords can't use no-fault grounds
- Notice periods run 90 to 224 days
🔓 Exceptions
- Tenant breach (arrears, anti-social behaviour) shortens notice for any landlord
- Smaller landlords selling/moving family in usually need a statutory declaration
- Lodgers sharing the landlord's home and council tenancies fall outside RTB protection
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Illegal eviction — changing locks, cutting services or harassment — can be investigated and sanctioned by the RTB, and tenants can seek damages or reinstatement through RTB dispute resolution. Landlord notice periods scale from 90 days for shorter tenancies up to 224 days at 8+ years. A tenant can challenge an invalid notice by referring it to the RTB within 28 days, and must keep paying rent while it's disputed. Smaller landlords ending a tenancy to sell, move family in or renovate usually have to make a signed statutory declaration; a false declaration exposes them to RTB sanction. Beware a myth: "my landlord can evict me whenever the lease ends just because they want the property back" is false for tenancies from 1 March 2026 — security runs in 6-year cycles, large landlords can't use no-fault grounds at all, and every notice must be copied to the RTB. If served notice: check its validity and contact the RTB or Threshold.
📎 Official sources
- Citizens Information — if your landlord wants you to leave →
- Citizens Information — changes to renting from March 2026 →
- RTB — how a landlord can end a tenancy from 1 March 2026 →
❓ Frequently asked
Can my landlord evict me without a reason?
Generally no. A landlord must rely on a valid statutory ground, serve a written notice with the correct notice period, and send a copy to the Residential Tenancies Board the same day. Since 1 March 2026, large landlords can't use no-fault grounds at all, and smaller landlords are limited to specific grounds, often needing a statutory declaration.
What makes an eviction notice invalid?
An eviction notice is invalid if it isn't in writing, signed and dated, doesn't state the termination date, or isn't copied to the Residential Tenancies Board on the same day it's served. An invalid notice doesn't end your tenancy, and you can challenge it by referring the matter to the RTB within 28 days.
How much notice must my landlord give?
Notice periods depend on how long you've rented, scaling from around 90 days for shorter tenancies up to 224 days once you've been there eight years or more. Tenant breaches such as serious rent arrears or anti-social behaviour can shorten the notice and apply to landlords of any size.
What is a 'tenancy of minimum duration'?
For tenancies starting from 1 March 2026, once you've rented for six months without a valid termination notice you gain security of tenure for a six-year cycle, which then renews. During that cycle, large landlords can only end the tenancy for tenant breach or unsuitability, giving renters much stronger protection than before.
What can I do about an illegal eviction?
If a landlord tries to force you out without following the process — for example by changing the locks, cutting off services or harassing you — that's an illegal eviction. You can bring a complaint to the Residential Tenancies Board, which can sanction the landlord, and you may be awarded damages or reinstated in the property.
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