The landscape for pet owners renting in Ireland has changed significantly in recent years. Here's a practical guide to finding a pet-friendly home — including what landlords can legally charge and how to make your application stand out.
Traditionally, Ireland was not considered an easy place to rent with a pet. Unless you were taking on an unfurnished property or a more basic home, acceptance was far from guaranteed — and even when landlords agreed, it often came with demands for large additional deposits.
That has changed considerably in recent years, largely driven by the growth of Build to Rent developments across Dublin and other cities. These newer developments have adopted pet-friendly policies as a selling point, typically charging a small monthly fee rather than a large upfront amount. This has shifted the broader conversation, and more traditional private landlords are slowly following suit.
The picture is more positive than many people expect — but there are still important things to know before you start your search.
This is one of the most commonly misunderstood areas. Under Irish law, the security deposit is capped at one month's rent — that is the total amount a landlord can hold. A landlord cannot charge a separate additional pet deposit on top of this.
What landlords can do is charge a monthly pet fee as part of the rent — typically around €50 per month. It is worth knowing that this fee counts as part of your rent for Rent Pressure Zone purposes, so it cannot be used as a way to quietly increase rent beyond permitted limits.
💡 Know your rights: If a landlord or agent tries to charge a separate pet deposit on top of your standard deposit, this is not in line with current RTB guidelines. You are entitled to question it.
One of the most important things to understand when searching for a pet-friendly rental in Ireland is that a landlord's willingness to accept pets is not always the deciding factor. In many apartment developments, the management company sets the rules — and if their policy prohibits pets, an individual landlord cannot override it, no matter how willing they are.
Always ask specifically whether the management company allows pets, not just the landlord. Get the answer in writing before you proceed with an application.
Even in developments that are described as pet-friendly, do not assume all pets are welcome equally. Many complexes have weight restrictions on dogs — sometimes as low as 10–15kg — and some have breed restrictions too. Always ask directly and confirm in writing before paying any holding deposit.
Some large developments are also pet-friendly only in specific blocks or sections. A unit in a non-pet block is not suitable regardless of what the development's overall policy says. Ask specifically whether the unit you are viewing is in a pet-permitted block.
Not all property types are equally accessible for pet owners. In broad terms:
When competition for properties is high, a well-prepared application makes a real difference. For pet owners, consider the following:
If you are relocating internationally with a pet, there is an additional layer to plan for. Ireland has strict biosecurity rules as an island nation, and the import requirements vary depending on where you are travelling from.
Generally, pets require microchipping, up-to-date rabies vaccinations, and in some cases a tapeworm treatment administered within a specific window before travel. Pets travelling from within the EU have a relatively straightforward process. Those coming from outside the EU — including the US, Canada, Australia, and most of Asia — face more requirements and longer timelines.
Start this process much earlier than you think you need to. Some vaccination and documentation timelines are strict and cannot be rushed. Your vet at home and the Irish Department of Agriculture website are the right starting points.
Finding a pet-friendly property requires a different search strategy. We can help you target the right developments, ask the right questions, and present the strongest possible application. Book a call with Suzanne to get started.
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