Living in shared accommodation in Ireland? Whether you're sharing with housemates, renting a room, or living in a house share, you may still be entitled to the rent tax credit. Many people in shared living situations don't realise they can claim—but the credit is worth up to €1,000 per person per year.
Our specialists help renters in all types of accommodation claim the credits they're entitled to. Here's what you need to know about claiming rent credit in shared accommodation.
📊 Rent Credit for Sharers
- Credit per person: Up to €1,000/year
- Multiple tenants: Each can claim individually
- Requirement: Your share of rent qualifies
- Backdate: Since 2022
Can You Claim Rent Credit in Shared Accommodation?
Yes—if you pay rent for your accommodation and it meets the qualifying conditions, you can claim the rent tax credit. This applies whether you:
- Share a house or apartment with housemates
- Rent a room in someone's home
- Are a named tenant on a joint lease
- Pay rent to a head tenant who holds the lease
Each person who pays qualifying rent can claim their own credit of up to €1,000—the claims are individual, not shared.
What Counts as Qualifying Rent?
To claim the rent credit, your rental situation must meet certain conditions:
- Private rental: Not local authority or social housing
- Your main residence: The property must be where you mainly live
- Not a relative: You can't claim if renting from a close family member
- RTB registered: The tenancy should be registered (with some exceptions)
How Much Can You Claim?
The rent credit provides 20% relief on qualifying rent, up to maximum credits of:
The credit can be backdated to 2022. If you've been renting and never claimed, you could be owed up to €3,000+.
💡 Real Example
Anna shares a house with two others, paying €700/month for her room. She didn't think she could claim rent credit because she wasn't the main tenant. When we reviewed her tax, we claimed three years of rent credit—€3,000—plus additional medical expense relief.
Rent-a-Room Scheme and the Rent Credit
If you're renting a room from a homeowner who uses the Rent-a-Room scheme, you may still be able to claim the rent credit. The key is that you're paying genuine rent for accommodation. Our specialists can advise on your specific situation.
Other Reliefs for Renters
Rent credit is often just part of what you're owed. We also check for:
- Medical expenses – 20% relief
- Work expenses – for many professions
- Emergency tax – from job changes
- Working from home – for remote workers
The average refund our clients receive is €1,080.
Renting in Shared Accommodation?
Our experts will check if you can claim rent credit and find all your reliefs.
Start Your Tax Review →No refund, no fee • Average refund €1,080 • TAIN: 77632V
Frequently Asked Questions
What if only one person's name is on the lease?
The key is whether you pay qualifying rent—not whose name is on the lease. If you genuinely pay rent for your share of accommodation, you may be able to claim. Our specialists can review your situation.
Can all my housemates claim separately?
Yes, each person who pays qualifying rent can make their own claim for up to €1,000. In a house with three renters, that could be €3,000 total per year across the household.
How far back can I claim?
The rent credit can be backdated to 2022 when it was introduced. If you've been renting since then without claiming, you're likely owed thousands.