The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) has ordered a landlord to pay €20,000 in damages to a former tenant following a determination that the property was illegally re-let as a short-term holiday rental after an eviction.

The dispute arose after the tenant was evicted from the property, which was subsequently listed and let out as short-term holiday accommodation. Under Irish rental regulations, landlords must adhere to strict guidelines regarding the termination of tenancies and the subsequent use of the property. Re-letting a property on a short-term basis immediately after terminating a long-term tenancy is a violation of these regulations unless specific legal exemptions apply.

Following a formal complaint and subsequent investigation, the RTB ruled in favor of the tenant. The tribunal found that the landlord had failed to comply with the statutory requirements governing the termination of tenancies and the re-letting of residential properties. As a result, the landlord was ordered to pay €20,000 in damages to the former tenant to compensate for the unlawful eviction and the subsequent misuse of the property.

This ruling highlights the ongoing scrutiny of short-term lets in Ireland, particularly in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) where housing supply remains highly constrained. The RTB has reiterated that landlords must strictly observe the legal processes for ending tenancies and that the unauthorized conversion of long-term residential units into short-term holiday lets is subject to significant financial penalties.