Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

111. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware of the large delays experienced by renters who try to contact the Residential Tenancies Board to retrieve their details in order to claim the renters’ tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3567/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Acts to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants and as such, the implementation of the new tenancy management system is an operational matter for the RTB.

The RTB is experiencing an exceptionally high volume of calls and emails, which has led to a delay in responding to some queries, including those from tenants applying for the tax credit, where the majority of tenants are contacting the RTB for their RT (Registered Tenancy) number. It is important to note that the RTB supplies this number to all tenants at the beginning of their tenancy in their tenancy confirmation letters. If a tenant has misplaced their number, the RTB has created a designated webpage, www.rtb.ie/beginning-a-tenancy/types-of-tenancy-agreements-and-leases, which signposts tenants on how to find the number without necessarily needing to contact customer service.

The RTB is working with its contracted partner to recruit, train and deploy additional resources to alleviate the wait times and backlogs. The RTB will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that tenants are supported to apply for their credit without delay.

Information regarding the rent tax credit can be found on the Revenue Commissioners' website at www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/rent-credit/index.aspx.