Landlord tax in Ireland: the five things people get wrong
Pre-letting expenses, mortgage interest, the RTB registration, and what counts as a repair.
Five things we fix every October for new landlord clients.
1. Claiming pre-letting expenses that aren't allowed
Costs before the first tenant are mostly not deductible, with a specific exception for properties that were vacant for a period. Ask before you repaint.
2. Forgetting the RTB
You must register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board, and you can't claim mortgage interest without it.
3. Mortgage interest
100% of the interest (not the repayment) is allowable — if the tenancy is registered. The capital isn't.
4. Repairs versus improvements
Fixing the boiler is a repair, deductible this year. Replacing the kitchen is an improvement, claimed over eight years as capital allowances.
5. Not filing at all
Rental income is taxable even if the mortgage eats it. Late filing surcharges are the expensive bit.