Deposit route
Licensee deposit not returned in Ireland
Check RTB boundaries, owner-occupied arrangements, evidence, and complaint routes before escalating a deposit dispute.
Check your dispute first
Answer a few questions to see your options before writing your complaint.
Check your optionsDeposit disputes are confusing because people use the word tenant casually, but the right Irish route can depend on the living arrangement.
A standard residential tenancy may belong with the Residential Tenancies Board. A licensee, lodger, owner-occupied arrangement, digs situation, short stay, or holiday booking may need a different route check before anyone thinks about small claims.
What to do next
- 1Work out whether the arrangement was a residential tenancy, licence, lodger arrangement, digs, short stay, or holiday booking.
- 2Check the RTB route first if it may be an ordinary residential tenancy deposit dispute.
- 3If the issue is outside RTB, send a written deposit demand and keep proof before checking small-claims fit.
Questions that decide the route
Ask whether the owner lived in the property, whether you had exclusive possession, what written agreement or house rules existed, and whether the deposit was described as a rent deposit, key money, booking deposit, or damage deposit.
Keep the calculation narrow
If the deposit was EUR800 and EUR300 was returned, the disputed amount is EUR500 unless you have another clear, evidenced loss. A calm amount breakdown is stronger than broad frustration about the move-out process.
Before you write
- Deposit amount, date, and payment proof
- Agreement, booking, licence, lease, or house rules
- Move-out photos or videos
- Messages asking for the deposit back
- Itemised deduction or refusal response
Questions people ask
Is a licensee deposit an RTB matter?
Not always. Ordinary tenancy deposits often point to the RTB, while owner-occupied, lodger, licence, digs, or holiday arrangements can be different.
Can I use small claims for a deposit not returned?
Sometimes, but only where the official small-claims criteria fit and no better specialist route applies. Check the accommodation status first.
What if the owner says there was damage?
Ask for an itemised explanation and evidence, then compare it with your move-in and move-out photos, inventory, messages, and any inspection notes.