Home Economics: Can I evict my tenants for anti-social behaviour under the new rules?
Answer
Yours is one of very many queries I'm receiving over the new rules applying to both landlords and tenants which the Minister for Housing is in the process of implementing.
That serves only to emphasise how confusing it all is, so hopefully precise and clear information will emanate to all parties sooner rather than later.
The legislation will take effect (we are told) from March 1, 2026, and apply in different ways to 'small' and 'large' landlords.
I will assume for this purpose you are the former – that is, having three or fewer tenancies.
Under the current, and new, arrangements, it is only 'no fault' evictions which are mentioned. That means circumstances where the tenant has done nothing wrong, but the landlord wants to sell up or evict for his own personal reasons, such as a family member needing the property, or because the lease is up.
You remain entitled to end a tenancy if a tenant doesn't meet their obligations, which includes circumstances where, for instance, they don't pay their rent or have caused damage.
Normally you must give a written warning 28 days before the Notice of Termination is issued; however, according to Citizens Information, if the behaviour is seriously anti-social, you do not have to give a warning notice but can issue notice to vacate with seven days' notice.
You are advised to issue a warning letter outlining the unacceptable behaviour and give them a 'reasonable opportunity' to amend it
The legislation defines anti-social behaviour as that which 'constitutes the commission of an offence that is reasonably likely to directly affect the well-being or welfare of others; causes (or could cause) fear, danger, injury, damage or loss to any person living, working or otherwise lawfully in the dwelling concerned or its vicinity, including violence, intimidation, coercion, harassment or obstruction of or threats to any such person'.
If the behaviour falls short of this conduct, but is persistent or has interfered with another tenant or neighbour's right to enjoy peaceful occupation of their property, you are advised to issue a warning letter outlining the unacceptable behaviour and give them a 'reasonable opportunity' to amend it.
Failing to do so means you can then issue notice on them with 28 days' notice that the tenancy is ending.
The Residential Tenancies Board (rtb.ie) has great material and sample letters to download so that the tone and letter of the law are met.
None of that is changing with these new rules.
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Home Economics: Can I evict my tenants for anti-social behaviour under the new rules?
Under the new tenancy rules being brought in, if my tenants are causing anti-social behaviour and need to be evicted, what are my rights in that situation now? Answer Yours is one of very many queries I'm receiving over the new rules applying to both landlords and tenants which the Minister for Housing is in the process of implementing. That serves only to emphasise how confusing it all is, so hopefully precise and clear information will emanate to all parties sooner rather than later. The legislation will take effect (we are told) from March 1, 2026, and apply in different ways to 'small' and 'large' landlords. I will assume for this purpose you are the former – that is, having three or fewer tenancies. Under the current, and new, arrangements, it is only 'no fault' evictions which are mentioned. That means circumstances where the tenant has done nothing wrong, but the landlord wants to sell up or evict for his own personal reasons, such as a family member needing the property, or because the lease is up. You remain entitled to end a tenancy if a tenant doesn't meet their obligations, which includes circumstances where, for instance, they don't pay their rent or have caused damage. Normally you must give a written warning 28 days before the Notice of Termination is issued; however, according to Citizens Information, if the behaviour is seriously anti-social, you do not have to give a warning notice but can issue notice to vacate with seven days' notice. You are advised to issue a warning letter outlining the unacceptable behaviour and give them a 'reasonable opportunity' to amend it The legislation defines anti-social behaviour as that which 'constitutes the commission of an offence that is reasonably likely to directly affect the well-being or welfare of others; causes (or could cause) fear, danger, injury, damage or loss to any person living, working or otherwise lawfully in the dwelling concerned or its vicinity, including violence, intimidation, coercion, harassment or obstruction of or threats to any such person'. If the behaviour falls short of this conduct, but is persistent or has interfered with another tenant or neighbour's right to enjoy peaceful occupation of their property, you are advised to issue a warning letter outlining the unacceptable behaviour and give them a 'reasonable opportunity' to amend it. Failing to do so means you can then issue notice on them with 28 days' notice that the tenancy is ending. The Residential Tenancies Board ( has great material and sample letters to download so that the tone and letter of the law are met. None of that is changing with these new rules.
