Cristian's Story: Getting His Full Deposit Back
How normal wear and tear saved his €1,200 security deposit in Galway
Cristian rented a two-bedroom apartment in Galway for four years. It was a good home—he looked after the place, paid his rent on time, and had a straightforward relationship with his landlord. When the tenancy ended, he expected his €1,200 security deposit back, as Irish renters normally do. But the landlord had other ideas.
Within days of Cristian moving out, the landlord claimed the flooring in the main living area needed complete replacement. The landlord said the floor was damaged beyond repair and sent Cristian an invoice for €900—almost three-quarters of his deposit. The reason given was that the wooden parquet had become worn and discoloured after four years of use. Cristian knew the floor had simply aged naturally. He hadn't damaged it. He'd lived there quietly and responsibly. This felt wrong, but he wasn't sure what to do.
Cristian decided to bring the matter to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), Ireland's official body for resolving rental disputes. He gathered photographs from when he'd moved in and from when he'd left, showing the same gradual wear any floor gets from everyday living. The RTB examined his case carefully and made a clear decision: the flooring damage was normal wear and tear, not damage caused by the tenant. The landlord had no right to keep any of the deposit. Cristian received his full €1,200 back.
What the Law Says
In Ireland, a landlord can only keep money from a tenant's security deposit if the tenant caused damage beyond normal wear and tear. Normal wear and tear is simply the natural ageing that happens when people live in a property—faded paint, worn flooring, small scuffs. The law clearly distinguishes between this and actual damage. If a dispute arises, the Residential Tenancies Board investigates and decides whether the deduction is fair. The landlord must provide evidence of damage, and if they can't prove it was the tenant's fault—not just time passing—the money must be returned.
Important Time Limits
A landlord must return your deposit (or explain deductions) within 30 days of the tenancy ending. If they don't, you have up to six years to make a claim with the RTB. However, don't wait—the sooner you act, the better your evidence will be, as photographs and witness memories are fresher.