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RTB Prosecutions & Defence

Facing an RTB Prosecution? You Could Be Looking at a Criminal Conviction

The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) does more than resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. In certain cases, it has the power to prosecute landlords for criminal offences under the Residential Tenancies Acts.

Landlords are most commonly prosecuted for failure to register a tenancy, particularly where the RTB has issued enforcement notices that have not been complied with. These cases are prosecuted in the District Court and are criminal matters, not civil disputes.

What Offences Are Prosecuted?

Landlords are most often prosecute for:

Failure to register a tenancy
Ignoring RTB enforcement notices
Certain forms of improper conduct under the legislation

Many landlords mistakenly treat these as administrative issues—but they can lead to criminal prosecution.

What Penalties Can Apply?

On conviction, the court may impose:

A fine of up to €4,000
Up to six months’ imprisonment
Daily fines for continued breaches
An order to pay the RTB’s legal and investigation costs

A criminal conviction can have serious long-term consequences beyond the immediate penalty.

Get Legal Advice Early

RTB prosecutions often begin with correspondence or enforcement notices. Early legal advice can significantly affect the outcome – and may prevent proceedings entirely.

We regularly represent landlords in District Court prosecutions across Dublin.

If you are a landlord who has received an RTB notice or summons or request for information, contact us today for urgent advice – 01 873 1366. We can assess your case immediately.

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