Students across the country are struggling to find accommodation. students finishing their time in second-level now face an uncertain future for their education at third level. are you able to rent out to help out?

Digs is when you rent a room in someone’s house. There are different digs situations, available such as:

  • 5 day renting from Monday-Friday

  • 7 day renting Sunday-Sunday

  • Meals provided or not

This varies from rental to rental depending on what is agreed by the renter and landlord. This page will link you on how to rent a room, protect yourself and how to avoid scams.

How do I offer a room rental? #Rentouttohelpout

Students across the country are in difficult circumstances, there is a shortage of accommodation and much of the accommodation that is there is unaffordable. If you have a spare room, you can really make a difference and provide stability to a student trying to pursue their studies.

Through the ‘Rent a Room’ Scheme you can rent rooms in your home, tax free and up to a maximum of €14,000. Most higher education intuitions or their Students’ Unions run platforms to advertise these rooms. By clicking below you can see how to do this.

We recommend renting rooms at an affordable and accessible rate as the cost of college is extremely expensive.

Protecting Your Interests in Digs

Digs or the ‘rent a room scheme’ are not protected by legislation or the Rental Tenancies Act. This means you do not have the rights of a normal renter or landlord. It is important to put a written agreement in place between the tenant and the landlord. This is to protect both parties.

Things to consider in your written agreement:

  • Notice period for exiting your accommodation

  • Practicalities such as access to facilities

  • Length of tenancy

  • Rent and bills


SCAMS AND RED FLAGS

Scam have become common and are used to take money from vulnerable students and their families. Look out for the follow red flags:

🚩Not being able to view the property or meet the landlord in person

🚩The pictures and price are top to be true

🚩The landlord insists they are out of the country and cannot meet in person and pushes for the rent to be just given over

🚩Landlord contact is only through social media

🚩Rental period seems too flexible or offering a discount for booking in right away

🚩The security deposit is more or less than one month's rent

How to avoid being scammed?

-Check out the average rent price for the area

-Make sure your view the property in person and meet the landlord before paying the deposit

-Use online maps to the property is real and the exterior matches the photos

-Make sure you get a receipt for your deposit and/or rent paid. If possible pay directly through bank account rather than cash

-You can buy a rent book from the Rental Tenancies Board at RTB.ie

-If you are offered a room and aren’t sure about the legitimacy of the rental agreement contact the RTB, the college accommodation office or the Students Union in the relevant institution

how can you help the accommodation crisis?

We urge all concerned ISSU members, parents, students, families, educators to call upon their local representatives to fund purpose built, affordable student accommodation and to provide legislation for the ‘Rent a Room Scheme’ that affords students renters the rights and protections they desparately need.

Your can contact your local TD on firstname.surname@oir.ie and your local councillor by going to your local authority website.