A Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) tribunal has ordered a Westmeath landlord to pay €15,000 in damages to a former tenant after he evicted her family under the claim of needing the home for his daughter, only to re-advertise the property shortly after at a 50 per cent higher rent.

The tribunal heard that tenant Aida Cassiano had lived in the bungalow in Rochfortbridge, County Westmeath, with her two teenage children since March 2017, paying €1,000 a month. In October 2024, landlord Padraig Coyne served her with a notice of termination, stating that his daughter required the property. Ms Cassiano accepted the notice and vacated the home in May 2025.

However, in July 2025—roughly two months after Ms Cassiano moved out—the property was listed on Daft.ie for immediate occupation at €1,500 per month. Under Irish tenancy law, a landlord who terminates a tenancy for family use is required to offer the dwelling back to the previous tenant if the family member vacates within 12 months.

Ms Cassiano lodged a complaint with the RTB two days after discovering the online listing. The tribunal noted that Mr Coyne failed to attend scheduled hearings in April and May, despite previously indicating he would be present. The property was subsequently put up for sale in late 2025.

Tribunal chairperson Anne Leech characterized the landlord's conduct as "egregious." The tribunal ruled that Mr Coyne failed to fulfill his statutory obligations to offer the dwelling back to the former tenant and ordered him to pay €15,000 in damages within 28 days.