If you are having issues with a neighbour who is a tenant you can apply for dispute resolution as a third party. All parties involved should initially try to resolve the matter directly themselves.
A landlord owes to each person who could be affected (for example by antisocial behaviour) a duty to enforce the responsibilities of the tenant(s) in the tenancy. In cases where a landlord fails to enforce a tenant’s responsibilites, a person directly and adversely affected may take a case against the landlord through the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
The case will be heard by an independent RTB adjudicator, who can direct the landlord to enforce their tenants’ responsibilities. In the interest of fairness, tenants will be party to a third party case. This means they will be copied on information relating to the case and can attend a hearing. Landlords can also be ordered to make substantial payments to affected parties for the distress caused by their failure to enforce their tenants’ responsibilities. Please note that third party issues in relation to the standard and maintenance of a rental dwelling are a matter for local authority enforcement and the RTB does not have jurisdiction to deal with such complaints. It should also be noted that in order to provide a fair and neutral service to all parties, the RTB are unable to provide legal advice or specific guidance to either party in relation to their dispute.
Initial Steps
The person affected (or third party)
The affected person must first attempt to resolve the matter directly with the relevant parties to the tenancy and will be required to verify this if they subsequently make a formal RTB dispute application.
If the affected party is unable to identify or contact the landlord, they can make a formal request for the landlord’s and/or letting agent’s (where applicable) name and address (if registered) from the RTB. This application form (download here) must be fully completed and submitted by post to obtain contact information (e-mail or telephone requests are not accepted). The application form in Irish can be downloaded here.
If the rental property in question is not registered, the RTB may take enforcement action against the landlord in question. This may result in a criminal conviction.
The landlord
If the person who is affected contacts the landlord about anti-social behaviour the landlord must send a letter to the tenant once the complaint is received. This letter requires the tenant not to behave in the dwelling or in its vicinity in an anti-social manner. The letter can be downloaded here.
Application for RTB dispute resolution services
Any complaints of a serious anti-social or criminal nature should be reported to the Gardaí in the first instance.
If the initial attempt to resolve the matter directly with the relevant parties to the tenancy fails, the affected individual may make an application for dispute resolution to the RTB. This application can only be made by the affected individual, or a residents committee. The applicant should enclose relevant documentary evidence in support of their case e.g. log of events, photographs, witness statements or Garda reports (where applicable). The applicant must also submit evidence that they informed the relevant parties to the tenancy of the alleged breach of the tenants’ obligations.
The Dispute application form (including the applicant’s name but not address) and all supporting documentary evidence will be copied in full to the landlord and tenant(s), who will also be invited to attend the Dispute Resolution Hearing which can be through adjudication or mediation. The RTB adjudicator or mediator can only consider documentation circulated to all parties. The applicant may send a representative to the RTB hearing in their place, or alternatively submit a written statement in their absence for circulation to the parties at the hearing, so long as the RTB is notified sufficiently in advance.
RTB adjudication proceedings and the subsequent adjudicator’s report are confidential to the parties. However, the subsequent Determination Order in the case will be published on the RTB’s website and will list the names of the case parties and the rental property address.
Outcome of dispute hearing
At the hearing, all parties (the tenant and landlord will be invited to the dispute hearing) will be given the opportunity to set out their side of the case using documentary evidence already circulated, if necessary. If an agreement is not reached at the RTB dispute hearing, the adjudicator will make a determination in relation to the case, which will be sent to all parties, as part of the adjudicator’s report after the hearing. If the adjudicator’s report is not appealed to a RTB Tribunal, the Board of the RTB will make a Determination Order, which is legally binding and can be enforced in the courts. This can result in a civil conviction.
Anti-social behaviour cases
Please note that the remedy available to an adjudicator or tribunal in cases relating to a breach of landlord obligations are to award damages. However, parties may have a preference to ensuring that the breaches don’t persist therefore it may be preferable for parties to consider entering into telephone mediation or a mediation hearing in which parties could enter into a mutually acceptable and legally binding agreement. Please note that an Adjudicator or a Tribunal hearing the matter have no power to direct the removal of the tenants from the property in question unless a valid Notice of Termination has expired.
Appeal of dispute hearing
The Third Party applicant or the landlord may appeal an adjudicator’s report within 10 working days of the adjudicator’s report issuing to the parties or 10 calendar days from the date of a mediation agreement being reached.
An appeal will be considered by a three person RTB Tribunal hearing and its proceeding are open to the public. Tribunal reports are published on the RTB’s website. The Tribunal’s report will form the basis of a Determination Order, which will subsequently be made by the Board of the RTB.