Security of Tenure

Tenants who have accrued a security of tenure have the right to stay in the property for six years under the Residential Tenancies Act. Security of tenure begins following the tenants residence in a property for six continuous months, provided the landlord does not wish to terminate the tenancy at this stage. 

As part of the Irish Government’s continued attempts to prioritize tenant rights over landlord rights, the Planning and Development (Housing) & Residential Tenancies Act 2016 extended this four-year period to six years. This six-year period will apply to tenancies signed between December 24, 2016 and June 10, 2022. From June 10, 2022, tenants who have been in the property for six months will be eligible to an unlimited-term lease, which means they will be able to stay in the house permanently unless the landlord cancels the tenancy for one of the approved reasons.

Security of tenure arises from what is called a Part 4 tenancy. Both terms may be used interchangeably, both meaning the same thing