Room viewing checklist: what to ask and check in Ireland
13 October 2026
A viewing is your one chance to find problems before you move in. This room viewing checklist covers what to look at, what to ask the advertiser and the people you would live with, and the red flags that mean walk away.
Before you go
Read the ad again and note anything unclear: is it a tenancy or a room in the owner's home, are bills included, what is the deposit? Bring a friend if you can, and tell someone where you are going.
Check the room and the house
Look at the bed, storage, windows and heating, and whether the room gets daylight. Check for damp or mould on walls, ceilings and window frames, especially in winter.
Look at the shared spaces too: kitchen, fridge and cupboard space, bathroom, laundry and where you can dry clothes.
Questions to ask
What exactly does the rent include? How are bills split? How much is the deposit and how is it returned? Who else lives here, and what do they do? Are there house rules about guests, noise or cooking? How much notice does each side give?
For a house share where the owner doesn't live, ask whether the tenancy will be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board.
Red flags
You are asked to pay before or instead of a viewing; the person won't show ID or the room; the price is far below similar rooms nearby; you are pushed to decide on the spot. Any one of these is a reason to walk away.
After the viewing
Get the key terms in writing before you pay anything, and pay by a traceable method, not cash or money-transfer services. Keep copies of every message and receipt.