What to Check on a Rental Viewing in Ireland

24 July 2026

Ten minutes is all you usually get

Most rental viewings in Ireland now last between five and fifteen minutes, often shared with a dozen other prospective tenants. That is not enough time to spot every issue, but it is enough to catch the ones that matter most. This checklist is designed to be read on the bus on the way to the viewing and used in the flat itself.

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Before you arrive

- Check the property on the SafeRent address checker to see if past tenants have reviewed it and whether the tenancy is registered with the RTB. - Note the BER rating from the listing. Anything below C1 will mean noticeably higher heating bills. - Look up the address on Google Street View and check the surrounding streets in daylight and at night. - Prepare two or three specific questions for the landlord so the visit does not become purely visual.

Inside the flat: what to actually look at

Damp and mould

The single biggest hidden problem in Irish rentals. Look for black spotting around window frames, in bathroom corners, and behind furniture. Sniff. A musty smell that lingers means condensation is not being managed. Ask if there is mechanical ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen; if not, expect problems in winter.

Heating

Turn on a radiator if permitted. Ask whether the heating is gas, oil, storage heating, or a heat pump, and who pays the standing charges. Storage heaters can double a winter electricity bill in a poorly insulated flat.

Windows and insulation

Double glazing throughout is now standard; older single-glazed windows will be cold and expensive to heat. Feel around the frames for draughts. Check whether any windows are painted shut.

Water pressure and hot water

Turn on the shower. In older buildings with electric showers, water pressure can be poor and hot water may run out after ten minutes. Ask how the hot water is heated and how long it takes to recover.

Kitchen and appliances

Open the oven, run the hob briefly, open the fridge. Landlords are required to keep appliances in working order but a cursory check now saves months of takeaways later.

Storage

Storage is one of the most underrated factors in whether you will actually enjoy living somewhere. Check the wardrobes, count the kitchen presses, and look for a hot press.

Safety essentials that are legally required

- Working smoke alarms, one per storey. - A carbon monoxide alarm if there is any fuel-burning appliance (gas boiler, gas fire, oil heater). - A fire blanket in the kitchen. - A means of escape from every habitable room. - If the property has a stove or open fire, the chimney should have been swept in the last twelve months.

If any of these are missing, ask when they will be installed. Legally, they should already be there.

The neighbourhood

- What time is the nearest bus, and how frequent is it after 10pm? - Where is the nearest supermarket, and is it open on Sundays? - Is there parking, and is it permit-only? - What is directly above and below the flat? Live music venues, chip shops and 24-hour gyms are all real quality-of-life factors.

Questions to ask the landlord or agent

- Is the tenancy registered with the RTB, and can I have the registration number? - When was the rent last reviewed, and what is the current rent? (The national rent cap limits the next increase.) - Who pays for the bins, and are they collected weekly? - How long has the last tenant been in the property, and why are they leaving? - Is a Part 4 tenancy on offer after six months?

After the viewing

Take five minutes to write down everything you noticed while it is fresh, and rate the property against the other viewings you have. If you decide to apply, do it in writing and keep copies of every message.

Read next: our guide on how to check a rental before you sign.