Under the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, each new tenancy coming into existence in respect of any particular dwelling must be registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board. This applies to any tenancy of a private rented dwelling, including dwellings let to students. Where a particular student tenancy is continued from one academic year to the next, re-registration does not arise. In this regard, student representatives have emphasised the need for students, depending on their circumstances, to have access to improved security of tenure in common with other occupants in the private rented sector.
However, where student accommodation is re-let, no more than two registration fees are payable in any 12 month period. Where accommodation is let for holiday purposes, as frequently occurs during student vacations, there is no requirement to register and therefore no further payment of a registration fee arises. Accordingly, I do not consider that a review of the statutorily based registration fee structure in this matter is warranted.