It is important that you have written proof of the fact that you have paid your rent - particularly if a dispute over alleged non-payment of rent arises. It is a requirement under law for landlords to provide tenants with a rent book, which is used to record details of the tenancy and all rent payments.

When rent is paid to the landlord in person it must be recorded in the rent book or a receipt stating the amount, purpose and date of the payment and the period to which it relates must be provided to the tenant.

Where payment is made by any other method, for example direct debit, the landlord must, not more than 3 months after receipt, either record it in the rent book or provide the tenant with a written statement of the amount, purpose and date of the payment and the period to which it relates.

What to do

• If your landlord refuses to provide you with a rent book or receipts for rent paid, inform her of the fact she is obliged under law to do so.
• If this does not resolve the matter, you can make a complaint to your local authority, whose responsibility it is to enforce the Rent Book regulations.
• Rent books at a cost of €2 each are available from your local Threshold office