The RTB notice period is the minimum amount of notice a landlord must give a tenant before a tenancy ends. Get it wrong and the entire Notice of Termination is invalid — the tenancy continues as if it was never served, and you start again. This guide sets out the full notice period scale and how to apply it correctly under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.
Key Points
- The notice period depends on how long the tenancy has lasted at the date of service
- Periods run from 28 days (under 6 months) up to 224 days (8+ years)
- The 2022 amendments increased notice periods for longer tenancies
- The period runs from the date of service, not the drafting date
- Some grounds (such as serious anti-social behaviour) allow shorter periods
RTB Notice Period Table (Landlord)
Under Section 66 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended 2022), the notice a landlord must give based on the duration of the tenancy is:
| Tenancy Duration | Notice Period |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | 28 days |
| 6 months to 1 year | 35 days |
| 1 to 2 years | 42 days |
| 2 to 3 years | 56 days |
| 3 to 4 years | 84 days |
| 4 to 5 years | 112 days |
| 5 to 6 years | 140 days |
| 6 to 7 years | 168 days |
| 7 to 8 years | 196 days |
| 8 or more years | 224 days |
Notice Periods That Differ by Ground
The table above is the standard scale and applies to most terminations, including landlord-required, sale, refurbishment and change of use. Two grounds can differ:
Rent arrears (Section 34(a)): a specific warning-notice procedure applies before the termination notice — see the rent arrears notice guide.
Serious anti-social behaviour (Section 34(b)): where behaviour seriously endangers others, a reduced notice period (as little as around 7 days) may apply instead of the standard scale — see the anti-social behaviour guide. Because these are fact-specific, confirm the exact period with the RTB.
RTB Notice Periods for Tenants
Tenants must also give notice based on the length of the tenancy, under Section 66A of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended 2022). The tenant scale is shorter than the landlord scale:
| Tenancy Duration | Notice Period (Tenant) |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | 28 days |
| 6 months to 1 year | 35 days |
| 1 to 2 years | 42 days |
| 2 to 3 years | 56 days |
| 3 to 4 years | 84 days |
| 4 years or more | 112 days |
Get the notice period right automatically
Enter the tenancy start date and the correct notice period is calculated for you · Free preview · €14.99 to download
Generate My Notice of TerminationHow to Calculate Your RTB Notice Period
- Find the tenancy start date on the lease agreement or rent book
- Use the date you intend to serve (not draft) the notice as the calculation date
- Count the number of complete years and months from start date to service date
- Look up the matching band in the landlord or tenant table above
- Count forward that many calendar days from the service date — that is the earliest valid termination date
- If serving by registered post, add the standard postal delivery time before the clock starts
The free notice generator at the top of this page does all of this automatically — enter the tenancy start date and it calculates and pre-fills the correct notice period and earliest valid termination date.
Common Notice-Period Mistakes
- Calculating the period from the wrong start date
- Using a pre-2022 (shorter) notice period
- Counting from the drafting date instead of the service date
- Not allowing for postal delivery time when serving by registered post
- Setting a termination date that falls short by even one day
For the full list, see why notices of termination are ruled invalid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTB notice period in Ireland?
It depends on how long the tenancy has lasted at the date of service — from 28 days for a tenancy under 6 months up to 224 days for a tenancy of 8 years or more, under Section 66 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.
How much notice does a tenant have to give the landlord?
Tenants give notice on a separate, generally shorter scale based on the tenancy length. Confirm the current tenant figures with the RTB.
When does the RTB notice period start?
From the date the notice is served, not the date it was drafted. Allow extra time for delivery if serving by registered post.
Did RTB notice periods change in 2022?
Yes — the 2022 amendments increased notice periods for longer tenancies. Using an outdated, shorter period is a common reason a notice is ruled invalid.
What are the RTB notice periods for landlords in Ireland?
Landlord notice periods range from 28 days (tenancy under 6 months) to 224 days (tenancy of 8 or more years). The full table by tenancy duration is set out above under RTB Notice Period Table (Landlord).
What are the RTB notice periods for tenants in Ireland?
Tenant notice periods run from 28 days (under 6 months) to a maximum of 112 days (4 years or more). The full tenant scale is in the RTB Notice Periods for Tenants section above. Unlike the landlord scale, the tenant scale does not increase beyond 112 days regardless of tenancy length.
How much notice does a landlord have to give in Ireland in 2026?
In 2026 the notice periods remain as set by the 2022 amendments — a minimum of 28 days for a new tenancy and up to 224 days (about 7.5 months) for a tenancy of 8 or more years. These are the minimum legal periods; a landlord can always give more notice than required.
Related Guides
See the full guide to serving a Notice of Termination, what a valid notice of termination template must contain, and the common reasons notices are ruled invalid. Ground-specific pages: rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, landlord required, sale of property, refurbishment and change of use.