Student Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (1275)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

1275. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the safeguards that are in place to ensure that landlords do not favour students that opt-out of the payment of multiple months' rent up-front if they wish which creates an incentive for students not to avail of the protection and favour of students that have the financial means to pay in advance given the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 allows for students to opt-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40213/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

As the Deputy will be aware, the Residential Tenancies (No.2) Act 2021 restricts 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.

The legislation does contain an exemption for student specific accommodation, which was included to facilitate existing practice with regard to payment of tuition fees and accommodation fees for international students.

However the legislation states that this can only be invoked if the tenant so wishes and with the agreement of their landlord. Imposing such a payment scheme against the tenant's wishes would be contrary to the Act.

If a person feels that their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act have been breached that person can take a case to the Residential Tenancies Board, which is the relevant enforcement body, for dispute resolution. Information on the RTB Dispute Resolution Service can be found on their website rtb.ie. My Department does not have a role in the enforcement of this legislation.

Question No. 1276 answered with Question No. 1274.