Sinn Féin spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Mairéad Farrell TD, has today called on the government to support Sinn Féin’s legislation to give greater protections and ensure better affordability for student renters.

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be debated at second stage in the Dáil on Tuesday.

It deals with so-called “digs” accommodation, which is where a student rents a room in which the homeowner also resides as part of the “rent a room” scheme.

Despite this state scheme providing tax relief of up to €14,000 a year, there are no obligations to give even basic protections to those renting the room.

This is an area which has been described as the “Wild West” of the rental sector and identified as in need of reform.

Teachta Farrell said:

“Sinn Féin’s legislation, which will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow, would give greater protections and ensure better affordability for student renters.

“Threshold has pointed out that those renting such rooms have ‘effectively have no rights’.

“Many students report having had good experiences in this kind of digs accommodation, but there have also been some horror stories.

“This means: 

• No right to a rent book, or a notice period meaning the student can be evicted overnight. 
• No rights to privacy such as a lock on the bedroom door which is a real concern for young women.
• No rights to reasonable use of facilities like the kitchen and bathroom.
• No access to the rent pressure zones, or prevention of the rent being increased overnight without notice.
•  No access for either party (student or homeowner) to the RTB for dispute resolution.

“That is why this bill is necessary.

“Not only does it give protections for student renters which have badly been lacking, but it also gives protections to the homeowners themselves.

“Just as it creates greater obligations on the homeowners, it also creates obligations on the student renters ensuring that they pay their rent on time and in full, that they do not engage in anti-social behaviour or damage the property.

“This bill gives greater protection, certainty and support for both parties to these housing arrangements.

“The cost to the Exchequer in 2018 (latest year available) of this tax expenditure was around €20m. The cost is likely to have increased since then due to the growing popularity of the scheme.

“It is only fair that this tax subsidy comes with some protections for those students renting the rooms.

“Sinn Féin would stand up for student renters in government, and this bill is just one element of our plan for addressing the student housing crisis.”

Sinn Féin’s legislation can be read here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2024/8/