Anca's Fight to Get Her Deposit Back
How one Limerick renter recovered her full guarantee plus compensation after three months of silence
Anca moved into a flat in Limerick in early 2023. Like any tenant, she paid her deposit to the landlord at the start of the tenancy. The rent was fair, the place was clean, and everything seemed straightforward. When she decided to move after two years, she left the property in good condition. She expected to have her deposit returned within a reasonable time, as is normal. But weeks turned into months, and she heard nothing from her landlord.
After three months of complete silence, Anca decided to chase up the matter. When the landlord finally replied, it wasn't with her deposit. Instead, he sent a letter claiming he was keeping the money to cover "damage" and "unpaid bills." To make things worse, he'd added interest charges and late payment penalties on top of the sum he was withholding. Anca knew she'd left the flat spotless, and she was certain all bills had been paid. She felt trapped and didn't know what to do next.
Anca sought legal advice and learned that the landlord had broken the law. In Ireland, tenant deposits must be protected in a prescribed scheme, and the landlord must provide prescribed information within 30 days. Any deduction must be justified and documented, and the landlord cannot simply add charges or penalties to a deposit. Within weeks, her solicitor sent a formal notice to the landlord. Faced with clear evidence of wrongdoing, the landlord backed down. Anca recovered her full deposit, plus compensation for the breach and the months of stress.
What the law says: Under Irish law, residential tenancy deposits must be held in a prescribed scheme such as RTB (Residential Tenancies Board) or an approved alternative. The landlord must provide prescribed information within 30 days of receipt of the deposit. Any deduction must be documented and justified by the landlord, and the tenant has the right to dispute the deduction. The landlord cannot unilaterally add interest, penalties, or charges to a deposit. If a landlord fails to protect the deposit properly or breaches these rules, the tenant can take a claim to the RTB or pursue legal action for compensation.
⏱ Time Limits Matter
You have six years from the date of the breach to make a claim to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) or take legal action. However, the sooner you act, the stronger your case. If your deposit was not protected in a prescribed scheme, or the landlord failed to give you prescribed information within 30 days, you may be entitled to compensation of up to three times the deposit amount. Do not wait—contact a solicitor as soon as you notice a problem with your deposit.