Deposit route
Landlord deposit: RTB or small claims in Ireland?
Route a deposit dispute between the RTB, a narrow small-claims route, or a first complaint letter.
Check your dispute first
Answer a few questions to see your options before writing your complaint.
Check your optionsMost residential tenancy deposit disputes in Ireland should be checked with the Residential Tenancies Board before anyone thinks about small claims.
Small claims is more likely to be relevant for narrower deposit or key-money situations outside an ordinary RTB tenancy, such as some holiday letting or owner-occupied arrangements.
What to do next
- 1Work out whether this was a standard residential tenancy, licence, holiday booking, or owner-occupied arrangement.
- 2If it is an RTB tenancy issue, start with the RTB route.
- 3If it is outside RTB, send a clear written demand for the deposit return and keep proof.
Before you write
- Tenancy or booking agreement
- Deposit proof
- Move-in and move-out evidence
- Messages asking for return
- Reason given for withholding
Questions people ask
Can I use small claims for a landlord deposit?
Usually check the RTB first for ordinary residential tenancy deposits. Small claims may only make sense for narrow deposit situations outside that route.