Dáil to debate Sinn Féin debate on student accomodation

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin West Paul Donnelly has called on the government to support Sinn Féin’s legislation surrounding student housing.

He said that Sinn Féin’s bill would 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 this week.

The legislation deals with the practice of “digs”, which has become more common as the housing crisis continues to bite.

Digs have become a common solution to help with the shortage of purpose-built student accommodation for third-level colleges.

A student rents a room in which the homeowner also resides as part of the “rent a room” scheme.

Despite the 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 according to Sinn Féin.

Donnelly dubbed the practice as the “Wild West” of the rental sector and said it is in need of reform.

The bill was brought forward by Sinn Féin TDs Mairéad Farrell and Eoin Ó Broin.

“Threshold has pointed out that those renting such rooms have ‘effectively have no rights,” Donnelly noted.

Under existing legislation, students have:

· 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.

“Many students report having had good experiences in this kind of digs accommodation, but there have also been some horror stories – that’s why this bill is necessary,” says Donnelly.

“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.”

Research from Sinn Féin shows that the cost to the Exchequer in 2018 (latest year available) of the tax expenditure was around €20 million, a figure that has most certainly grown since 2018.

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

“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.”