Dáil to Debate Sinn Féin's Student Housing Bill today, July 2

Sinn Féin TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Martin Kenny, has today called on the TD’s across the northwest to support Sinn Féin’s student housing legislation this week. 

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be debated this evening in the Dáil, July 2. The bill, brought forward by Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD and Higher Education spokesperson Mairéad Farrell TD seeks to give protections to students and householders renting so-called student ‘digs’.  This is where a student rents a room in which the homeowner also resides as part of the “rent a room” scheme.

Speaking before the debate, Teachta Kenny said: "I want to commend my colleagues Deputies Mairéad Farrell and Eoin Ó Broin for bringing forward this long, overdue legislation.

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"Homelessness charity 'Threshold' has previously pointed out that those renting such rooms have ‘effectively have no rights’ and is desperately in need of reform.

"Many parents and student renters are unaware that they have no right to privacy, which includes a lock on their door. Currently, there is also no right to reasonable use of the kitchen or bathroom, a notice period, or a right to a rent book. 

"For the majority of students, they have a positive experience in this kind of digs accommodation – but we cannot ignore that there have also been some horror stories. That is why this bill is necessary."

Deputy Kenny continued: "While it gives rights to student renters, it also provides protections for the homeowners themselves. It creates obligations on the student renters to ensure they pay rent on time and in full, that they do not engage in anti-social behaviour or damage the property, among other things. 

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"This bill gives greater protection, certainty and support for both parties to these housing arrangements," he concluded.