Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2021
102. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science The measures in place to provide added protection for those living in student-specific accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36848/21]
View answerIn 2019, in response to steep increases in the price of some student accommodation, legislation was brought in to ensure that students would have the same affordability measures as tenants within Rent Pressure Zones. Student accommodation will be similarly included in any future measures brought in around Rent Pressure Zones and caps on rent increases. Under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students residing in student-specific accommodation under licence agreements also have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
Affordability must be a key pillar in the student accommodation sector and my Department has been working with the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government on measures to ensure greater affordability of student accommodation. Legislation is being progressed which will restrict the up-front payments required to secure accommodation, including student accommodation, to no more than the equivalent of two months’ rent, and limit payments thereafter to on month’s rent at a time. At present this legislation is passing through the Oireachtas, and it is intended for it to be enacted in time for the beginning of the new academic year.
This legislation was discussed with stakeholders in the sector at most recent meeting of the Working Group on Student Accommodation, and affordability will continue to be one of the key topics of discussion in future meetings.
