Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
334. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science hat steps his Department has taken to prevent the practice of full year compulsory lease lengths being imposed on students by private student accommodation providers in Dublin and Cork, such as a company (details supplied) that owns 11 properties nationally and is offering students leases that are 52 weeks long. [7149/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 15 July 2019, the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019, as amended, applied the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended, to a licence agreement between a student and an owner of student accommodation. The Act defines ‘student accommodation’ to mean ‘a building, or part of a building, used for the sole purpose (subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c)) of providing residential accommodation to students during academic term times—
(a) whether or not the building or part of the building concerned is used for any other purpose outside of those times,
(b) whether or not any such students are permitted to reside there outside of those times, and
(c) whether or not any person other than a student resides there, provided that the purpose of the said person’s residing there serves the first-mentioned purpose.’
Section 3(1A) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended, similarly applies that Act to a tenancy agreement between a student and an owner of student accommodation.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and I have asked our officials to engage with each other on the decision of private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases. While there may be a market for 51 week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of the student population. We have asked our officials to establish the circumstances of the 51 week leases and consider what action may follow.
The Government is committed to enhancing protections for tenants. Under Housing for All, the Government has committed to improve the supply and affordability of rental accommodation and the security of tenure for renters, including students.
I have no function or remit in the operational matters of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) which is an independent quasi-judicial body with responsibility for rental contracts. I would advise any student with specific concerns or issues in relation to this matter to contact the RTB directly in the first instance.
