Landlord compliance in Ireland and Northern Ireland
Two jurisdictions, two sets of rules. What a landlord needs in the Republic of Ireland is not what they need in Northern Ireland, and the differences are easy to get wrong. Here they are side by side.
Side by side
| Topic | Republic of Ireland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| RegistrationThe Republic registers each tenancy with the RTB every year; Northern Ireland registers the landlord with the council scheme every three years. | Republic of IrelandRTB tenancy registration (new and annual)Required, every 12 months | Northern IrelandLandlord Registration SchemeRequired, every 3 years |
| Energy ratingTwo different schemes that are easy to confuse: a BER in the Republic, an EPC in Northern Ireland. | Republic of IrelandBuilding Energy Rating (BER) certificateRequired, valid for 10 years | Northern IrelandEnergy Performance Certificate (EPC)Required, valid for 10 years |
| Gas safetyA statutory annual certificate in Northern Ireland. In the Republic an annual check is good practice, not a certificate the law requires. | Republic of IrelandGas safety check (RGI Declaration of Conformance)Good practice, every 12 months | Northern IrelandGas Safety Certificate (CP12 / LGSR)Required, every 12 months |
| Electrical safetyA statutory EICR every five years in Northern Ireland; recommended, not required, in the Republic. | Republic of IrelandElectrical periodic inspection reportGood practice, every 5 years | Northern IrelandElectrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)Required, every 5 years |
| Smoke and CO alarmsBoth sides require smoke alarms. Northern Ireland adds a heat alarm in the kitchen; the Republic adds a fire blanket. | Republic of IrelandSmoke alarms, fire blanket and CO alarms (minimum standards)Required, no fixed renewal date | Northern IrelandSmoke and heat alarmsRequired, no fixed renewal date |
| What the tenant is givenBoth require written information at the start of a tenancy. Northern Ireland prescribes the notice and gives 28 days to hand it over. | Republic of IrelandTenant information packRequired, no fixed renewal date | Northern IrelandTenancy Information NoticeRequired, no fixed renewal date |
| Rent increasesBoth allow a rise at most once in 12 months. The Republic also caps the amount and asks for 90 days’ notice; Northern Ireland asks for 3 months’ written notice. | Republic of IrelandRent reviews: national rent controlThe law, with nothing to renew | Northern IrelandRent increases: frequency and noticeThe law, with nothing to renew |
| Shared houses (HMOs)Northern Ireland licenses HMOs through the council. The Republic has no single HMO licence; standards and fire safety apply instead. | Republic of IrelandNo equivalent | Northern IrelandHMO licenceRequired, every 5 years |
Common questions
Are landlord rules the same in Ireland and Northern Ireland?
No. The Republic of Ireland follows Irish law and Northern Ireland follows UK devolved law, so the certificates, registrations and deadlines are different on each side of the border.
Do landlords in the Republic of Ireland need a gas safety certificate?
There is no statutory periodic gas safety certificate for landlords in the Republic, unlike Northern Ireland. Gas appliances must be kept in good repair under the minimum standards, and an annual check by a Registered Gas Installer is recommended.
What is the difference between a BER and an EPC?
A BER (Building Energy Rating) is the Republic of Ireland’s energy certificate, valid for 10 years. An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is Northern Ireland’s. They are separate schemes and one does not stand in for the other.
How often do landlords in Northern Ireland need a gas safety certificate?
Every 12 months, from a Gas Safe registered engineer, with a copy to tenants within 28 days.
Can one tool track both?
Yes. Beamwise treats each property by its own jurisdiction, so a portfolio with homes on both sides of the border is tracked against the right rules for each.
Let Beamwise keep track of this for you.
Add a property and Beamwise works out which of these rules apply, reminds you before anything runs out, and sends tenants their copies. Free for your first property.