Renting with a dog in Ireland: what landlords can and can't ask

There is no statutory right to keep a pet in a private rental in Ireland. Whether you can depends on the tenancy agreement, and — in an apartment — on the owners' management company house rules, which can prohibit pets even when your landlord is happy.

If your agreement is silent on pets, get written permission before moving a dog in. A verbal yes from an agent who then leaves the company is worth nothing at the end of a tenancy.

A landlord cannot lawfully charge a separate non-refundable "pet deposit" on top of the standard deposit, which is capped at one month's rent. What they can do is deduct at the end for damage beyond normal wear and tear, and a chewed skirting board or scratched door counts. Photograph everything at move-in and move-out.

One page, attached to your application before the viewing. It moves you ahead of the other twenty applicants.

• 🐾Photo, breed, age, weight and neutered status.
• 🐾Confirmation of microchip, current vaccinations and flea/worm treatment.
• 🐾Training summary — house-trained, crate-trained, any classes completed.
• 🐾A reference from your previous landlord specifically about the dog.
• 🐾Your daytime cover: name your dog walker or day care so the landlord knows the dog isn't alone for ten hours barking at the neighbours.
• 🐾Offer of professional carpet cleaning at the end of tenancy, in writing.

Ask for the house rules before you sign, not after. Common restrictions include a weight limit, a ban on dogs in lifts unless carried, and a blanket prohibition in some older developments. A landlord cannot override the management company, so verify at that level.

Tenancy disputes — including a deposit withheld over alleged pet damage — go to the Residential Tenancies Board. Their dispute resolution service is free to access and the outcome is binding. Keep your written permission, your photographs and your end-of-tenancy cleaning receipts together in one place from day one.