Sharing accommodation is a common reality for many renters in Ireland, particularly in urban areas where housing costs remain high. If you're splitting rent with housemates, you might wonder how the Rent Tax Credit applies to your situation. The good news? Each person in shared accommodation is entitled to claim their own individual credit—€750 per person for 2025, representing a significant increase from the previous €500. Understanding how this credit works when you share a home can put hundreds of euros back in your pocket each year.
How Rent Tax Credit Works in Shared Accommodation
The fundamental principle is straightforward: every eligible renter can claim the credit individually, regardless of whether they live alone or share with others. For 2025, this means each qualifying tenant in shared accommodation can claim up to €750 annually. This credit reduces your overall tax liability, effectively putting more money back into your account through reduced tax payments or a direct refund.
The key requirement remains that your landlord must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). This applies whether you're all named on one lease agreement or have individual rental agreements with the landlord. Each tenant claims based on the rent they personally pay, not the total rent for the property.
If you're concerned about meeting all the eligibility criteria, our comprehensive guide to rent tax credit eligibility can help clarify whether you qualify.
Individual vs. Joint Claims in Shared Housing
Understanding how to structure your claim depends on your living arrangement:
Sharing with Friends or Non-Related Housemates
When sharing with friends, colleagues, or other non-related individuals, each person submits their own claim for €750. It doesn't matter if you're splitting a two-bedroom apartment between two people or a five-bedroom house among five tenants—everyone claims individually based on what they actually pay in rent.
Sharing with Your Partner or Spouse
Married couples or civil partners living together can claim €1,500 combined (€750 each). This applies whether you file taxes jointly or separately. If you're cohabiting but not married or in a civil partnership, you each claim the individual credit of €750.
Sharing with Family Members
Adult children, siblings, or other family members sharing accommodation each qualify for their own €750 credit, provided they're paying rent to a registered landlord and meeting the other eligibility requirements. Living with family doesn't disqualify you—what matters is that you're genuinely renting (not just contributing to household expenses in a family-owned property).
Practical Examples: Real Savings in Shared Accommodation
Example 1: Three Friends Sharing in Dublin
Sarah, James, and Michelle share a three-bedroom apartment in Dublin. Their total rent is €2,400 per month, which they split evenly (€800 each). Their landlord is RTB registered.
Tax Credit Calculation:
- Each person claims: €750 for 2025
- Total household savings: €2,250 (€750 × 3 people)
- If claiming back to December 2022: Each person could receive €1,750 (2022-2024 at €500/year + 2025 at €750)
Example 2: Couple Sharing with Another Tenant
Emma and David (married) share a house with another tenant, Lisa. Total rent is €2,100 monthly: the couple pays €1,300 for the master bedroom, and Lisa pays €800 for her room.
Tax Credit Calculation:
- Emma and David claim: €1,500 combined (€750 each)
- Lisa claims: €750 individually
- Total household savings: €2,250
Example 3: Young Professionals in a House Share
Five young professionals share a house in Cork, each paying €600 per month. All are on the standard rate of tax (20%), and their landlord is RTB registered.
Tax Credit Calculation:
- Each person claims: €750 for 2025
- Total household savings: €3,750 (€750 × 5 people)
- With backdating to December 2022: Each person receives €1,750
- Total backdated household refund: €8,750
Important Considerations for Shared Accommodation Claims
Proof of Rent Payment: Each tenant should maintain their own records of rent payments. This is especially important in shared situations where one person might collect everyone's contributions and make a single payment to the landlord. Bank statements showing your payments (whether directly to the landlord or to the lead tenant) serve as essential documentation.
RTB Registration: The property must be registered with the RTB, which you can verify through the RTB website. If your landlord isn't registered, you won't qualify for the credit—and this is one of the most common reasons for claim rejections in shared accommodation scenarios.
Income Tax Requirement: You must be paying Irish income tax to benefit from this credit. If any housemates are students with no taxable income, they won't be able to claim. However, part-time workers and those on lower incomes who pay even minimal tax can still benefit.
For detailed guidance on the application process, check out our step-by-step guide on how to apply for the rent tax credit online.
Backdating Your Shared Accommodation Claim
One of the most valuable aspects of the Rent Tax Credit is the ability to backdate claims to December 2022. For people in shared accommodation, this represents substantial combined savings:
- 2022-2024: €500 per person annually
- 2025: €750 per person
- Total potential backdated claim per person: €1,750
If you've been living in shared accommodation throughout this period with different housemates coming and going, you can still claim for the entire period you were paying rent, regardless of who your housemates were at different times. Each person claims independently for the periods they occupied and paid rent for the property.
Why Professional Assistance Maximizes Your Refund
Shared accommodation scenarios can introduce complexity to your claim—from ensuring proper documentation when rent is collected collectively to calculating backdated amounts accurately when you've lived in multiple shared properties. Professional tax advisors understand these nuances and ensure nothing is missed.
MyTaxRebate.ie specializes in maximizing rent tax credit claims for all accommodation types, including complex shared living situations. Our experts handle the entire process, verify RTB registrations, ensure all documentation is correct, and identify additional tax reliefs you might qualify for. For more information on the 2025 changes and eligibility, visit our complete rent tax credit guide for 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim if only one person's name is on the lease but we all pay rent?
Yes, you can claim even if you're not named on the lease, provided you can prove you're paying rent and the property is RTB registered. Bank statements showing your rent payments serve as proof. Many shared houses have one "lead tenant" on the lease with others paying their share—all can still claim individually.
What if my housemates move out during the year—can I still claim?
Absolutely. Your entitlement is independent of your housemates' situations. You claim based on the rent you paid during the period you occupied the property. Similarly, new housemates who move in can claim for their period of occupancy, regardless of who lived there before them.
Do we each get €750 even if we pay different amounts of rent?
Yes. The €750 credit is a flat amount per qualifying individual, not based on the proportion of rent you pay. Whether you pay €500 or €1,500 per month, you're entitled to the same €750 annual credit. The only requirement is that you're paying qualifying rent to an RTB-registered landlord.
What happens if one housemate is receiving Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)?
Tenants receiving HAP or other local authority housing supports are not eligible for the Rent Tax Credit. However, this doesn't affect other housemates who are paying their rent without housing supports—they can still claim their individual €750 credit as normal.
Can students in shared accommodation claim this credit?
Students can claim the Rent Tax Credit if they're paying Irish income tax. This typically applies to students with part-time jobs or those who work during summer months. Students with no taxable income cannot benefit from the credit, but their working housemates can still claim their individual entitlements.
Claim Your Rent Tax Credit Today
If you're living in shared accommodation and paying rent to an RTB-registered landlord, you're likely entitled to €750 for 2025—plus potentially €1,500 in backdated credits from previous years. That's real money that should be in your pocket, not left on the table.
Don't Miss Out on Your €1,750 Refund
Let MyTaxRebate.ie handle your rent tax credit claim professionally. We'll maximize your refund, handle all the paperwork, and ensure you receive every euro you're entitled to—including backdated amounts.
Get started today and discover how much you're owed. Our expert team makes the process simple, fast, and stress-free.
Contact MyTaxRebate.ie now to claim your rent tax credit and put hundreds of euros back in your pocket this year.