- The ban was first advised by Taoiseach Simon Harris when he was Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- There has not been any additional motion on the ban other than an up to date memo from the federal government, promising it’s “examining options”
- One lodging supplier informed The PIE it believes the 51-week leases in Ireland are “in line with other cities in the UK and Europe”
The ban, which was advised for laws by then-minister for additional and better training Simon Harris – who’s now Taoiseach – was initially proposed for laws in February, with little follow-up after Harris was promoted to the top job in April.
The reasoning of the ban, in response to the Irish authorities, was to make sure pupil lease agreements had been confined to the educational 12 months solely – except a pupil expressly requested for an extended lease at 51 weeks.
While there have been rumours that the ban would come into power earlier than summer time recess in the Daíl, the one replace because the introduction has been a memo from the Ministry of Further and Higher Education in May, a consultant for the federal government informed The PIE News.
“The updated memo cited both Departments’ intention to examine the options in responding to the divergence to 51-week only contracts by some of the private sector providers,” the consultant mentioned.
One such supplier is Yugo, whose guardian group mentioned in response to a request for remark from The PIE that that is the “standard in other cities across the UK and Europe”.
“GSA is the main supplier of pupil lodging in Ireland, with near 4,000 beds throughout Dublin and Cork.
“Proposed changes to student-specific accommodation leases will impact the viability of any future developments, preventing the delivery of much-needed high-quality student homes in safe, secure, and central locations in Dublin and elsewhere,” a spokesperson argued.
“A 51-week lease length is standard… and is a popular option that is in line with the private rental market,” they continued.
At the time of introduction, Harris mentioned that whereas 51-week leases could “suit some third-level students” – which incorporates worldwide college students in Ireland who don’t want to make a protracted journey residence over the summer time holidays – it isn’t “desirable or affordable for the majority”.
The transfer by some lodging providers even proved controversial on the Ireland subreddit, which mentioned the thought at size. One person claimed that providers would in concept be capable of take 51 weeks’ lease “in advance knowing a large percentage of these students will vacate at the end of term”.
“Then they can re-rent the rooms on much higher-yield, short-term rental to visiting student groups for an extra 13 weeks over the summer,” the poster claimed – though this has not been confirmed in apply.
GSA famous that college students usually wish to keep in their pupil metropolis for longer than their educational time period, particularly postgraduate college students, whose schedules “typically have academic schedules that extend beyond traditional undergraduate term times”.
The firm additionally argued that the sense of group fostered by “have all students on the same tenancy length”.
“Students have more opportunities to form lasting friendships and supportive peer groups,” the GSA spokesperson mentioned.
Additionally, they claimed that uptake of 51-week leases because the initiative was launched for the final educational 12 months suggests a choice for this tenancy size.
A 51-week lease size is normal… and is a well-liked choice that’s in line with the non-public rental market
GSA spokesperson
“High-quality student housing plays a key role in the housing mix of any city. We have seen from leading educational cities in which we operate, such as Edinburgh and London, that greater supply of student accommodation increases choice for students in the market. With students taking purpose-built accommodation, this means that more traditional properties are available in the private rented sector.”
Hines, one other supplier pupil lodging supplier, was highlighted by The Irish Times as one that may solely offer 51-week leases for the upcoming 12 months.
The memo despatched out in could by the each the Further and Higher Education ministry in Ireland and the Ministry of Housing mentioned there was an intention to “examine the options in responding” to the divergence to 51-week lease solely contracts.
“Both Departments proceed to interact and work intently collectively in order that these adjustments may be made as quickly as doable.
“[This will be] subject to advices and agreement of the Office of the Attorney General, to avoid any unnecessary financial hardship and additional costs on students and their families,” the spokesperson for the federal government added. They advised that whereas choices have been “examined”, the intention is to go forward with the ban.
Dublin City University declined to remark when approached for remark by The PIE, saying that it doesn’t touch upon common authorities insurance policies.
University College Cork informed The PIE: “Cork has been a centre for important progress in the scholar lodging sector over the previous few years.
“UCC helps any measures that gives out there, reasonably priced, and applicable lodging to the market, and our college students favour each extra alternative and suppleness when contemplating their lodging choices.
“UCC Campus Accommodation provides 1,536 beds, consistently offered at affordable and below-market rates for purpose-built student housing in the city,” the spokesperson added.
