The RTB was established in 2004 on foot of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). The RTB is an agency of Government with statutory powers. The central role of the RTB is to support the rental housing market and to resolve cheaply and speedily disputes between landlords and tenants, affording protection to both parties without having to resort to the Courts. As a statutory body, the RTB has been responsible for the operation of a national registration system for all private residential tenancies and for providing a more timely and cost effective dispute resolution service, as well as disseminating information, carrying out research and offering policy advice regarding the rental housing sector.