I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and to provide for related matters.
I recognise the fact that representatives of USI, UCD and TU Dublin are present. They have done great work, not just in respect of digs accommodation, but in raising more generally the issue of student accommodation and its lack of affordability.
I am pleased to introduce my new Bill, which was co-authored with my colleague, An Teachta Ó Broin. The Bill is designed to address what is more or less the Wild West of the rental sector, often referred to as digs accommodation. Specifically, it is where someone rents a room in a home where the owner also resides. As a result of the failure to address the lack of affordable student accommodation or, indeed, the lack of any student accommodation at all, digs have turned into the accommodation that many students and those in long-term lodging arrangements rely on now.
As the Ministers and Minister of State will be aware, there has long been generous tax relief for those who rent out a room in their homes for this purpose. As a result of the housing crisis, we are reliant on people to open their doors. They can earn up to €14,000 per year tax free. Despite such tax reliefs, this type of accommodation enjoys almost no protection. For example, renters do not have access to notice periods and can be evicted overnight. I have been approached by students who were evicted overnight. It is a terrifying experience for any student. Given the lack of accommodation, there is often nowhere else to go.
Renters do not have access to basic privacy rights. For example, they are not entitled to have locks on their doors. I would not like to live in shared accommodation where I did not have the ability to lock the door. Many other Deputies would feel the exact same way. Locking a door is a fundamental thing to be able to do. Would the Ministers or Minister of State feel comfortable staying overnight in shared accommodation where they did not have the ability to lock their rooms?
These renters have no right to reasonable access to facilities. I have spoken to individuals who have been told they can only use the bathroom, kitchen or whatever it may be after 10 p.m. They have no access to the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, if someone wrongfully takes their deposits. In fact, they have no access to the RTB for dispute resolution at all. Surprisingly, those renting in these types of property are not covered by rent pressure zone provisions, meagre as those provisions are. For students with dietary requirements, there is no reasonable understanding or taking into account of those requirements. I have had some students telling me they were offered rice and beans for months on end.
We do not have good data collection when it comes to this part of the rental sector because the RTB does not compile the relevant statistics. My Bill would address each of these issues. However, it will not provide the same level of protection that typical tenants receive. We are aware that, due to the housing crisis, we are heavily reliant on the rent-a-room scheme in someone’s home rather than on rental properties. The Bill's provisions are workable and I hope that the Government supports it. The Bill will ensure that there is a level of privacy and protection for tenants in these circumstances. While this issue impacts on students in particular, it is not just students who are affected. Many workers are reliant on this type of accommodation. It is crucial that we finally address the issue and ensure there are some protections.
