How to enforce a Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) outcome
About this application

1 - About this application

This application can be made when a landlord or tenant fails to carry out actions as directed by the Residential Tenancies Board determination.

The application must be made in the district court area in which the tenancy or dwelling concerned is or was situated.

You can make an application to enforce a Determination Order made by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) where either party has not taken the action as specified in the Determination Order (DO).

A DO is issued by the RTB. It directs a landlord or tenant to complete specific actions to remedy or resolve a situation such as unpaid rent or housing repairs. The resolution is determined by the RTB. The DO will also specify a timeframe for completing the actions.

Who can help

  • The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) assist in the process.
  • The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) may provide legal assistance to parties seeking to enforce a Determination Order.

Enforcement cases can be complicated. You should consider getting legal advice to better understand the options available to you.

2 - How to make your application

You can download your application form Form No. 40C.01 Notice of Statutory Application or contact your localcourt office and they can send a application form to you by post. The person making the application it the claimant and the person you are making the application against is the respondent.

You will need to include the following information to complete your application:

  • District Court number and area. Please see our map, this can be found here.
  • A record number which will be inserted by the court office,
  • Enter the enactment which is the section of the legislation that is relevant to your application - The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended), Section 124,
  • Your full name and address,
  • the respondent's full name and address,
  • the date and time of court which the court office will give you,
  • details of what you are asking the judge to do,
  • reasons why you are appealing the decision,
  • list of documents you intend to rely on or use in court, including the determination of the Residential Tenancies Board and attach copies
  • the address of the court office where you filed your application.

You or your solicitor will be required to complete an affidavit. You can see a template of this here

You must pay the appropriate court fee for your application The fee for this application is €80. This civil application fee can be paid at your local court office or in Dublin, at the Stamping Office in the Áras Uí Dhálaigh building in the Four Courts complex. You can pay these fees by card or cash.

The office will check your application, give it a record number and they will return the form to you.

You will need three copies of the stamped application:

  • The original for the court office
  • A copy to be served upon the respondent
  • A copy for yourself

3 - Serving and submitting your application

Serving your application

You must then send a copy of your application to the respondent. This is called serving the application. Please see our serving and proof of service page for more information.

The Respondent must be notified at least twenty one days prior to the court date by registered post. Your post office will give you a certificate of postage

Submitting your application

A copy of the stamped application with the declaration of service attached must be lodged in your local District Court office at least four days prior to the court date.

4 - Attending court

You or your legal representative should arrive on time on your court date and make yourself known to the court when your list number and name is called out. 

The judge will hear the evidence and make a decision on your case. 

Please see our preparing for civil court pages for more information on what to expect in court.

Read more about preparing for court

Results from your hearing

Your case can have a number of outcomes. 

The judge may:

  • Grant your application to enforce the determination order.
  • Impose a fine on the respondent.
  • Order the directed party to pay the other party's legal costs if they lose the case.
  • Dismiss your application.
  • Adjourn your case for more information.

What happens after court

You or the other side can appeal the courts decision. Please visit the appeals page for further information. See our After your hearing page for more information on what to expect after your court hearing.

All steps:
How to enforce a Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) outcome

  1. About this application

    Important information to know before you apply

  2. How to make your application

    Details on how to make your application and what details you need to provide

  3. Serving and submitting your application

    Details on what happens after your application is served and submitted

  4. Attending court

    Information on attending court and steps to take after your hearing