Senator Robbie Gallagher has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD new student rental protections.
Senator Gallagher explained, “Under the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021 any upfront payment upon the commencement of a tenancy will be restricted to a total value that does not exceed two months’ rent i.e. a deposit and one month rent in advance. This restriction will apply to all tenancies including for students residing in student specific accommodation. A student can make a larger upfront payment if they so wish, by way of an opt-out option, but they cannot be forced to do so.”
“The Bill also provides that the notice period to be given by students in respect of student specific accommodation will be limited to a maximum 28 days’ notice. These rental protections will benefit students and are just the beginning of a number of rental
protections which the government hopes to bring forward in the autumn to protect all
tenants.”
“Student representatives have been concerned about students being asked to pay up to a year’s rent in advance and having to provide lengthy termination notices. These new
measures will go some way towards alleviating these concerns. The rental measures
announced also include the extension of the targeted protections which are in place for
people negatively impacted by COVID-19, in arrears or at risk of homelessness. Subject to the eligible tenant making the necessary declaration they will be protected until January 12th 2022.”
Comments