The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) will have the power to impose a hefty fine on landlords if they insist on charging students rent for the entire year and not just the academic year.
The move comes as part of a suite of measures the Government is rolling out in a bid to woo younger voters ahead of the approaching academic year in September.
Plans to stop mandatory 51-week leases were first mooted by Simon Harris while he was higher education minister.
His successor in the portfolio, Patrick O’Donovan, is speeding up laws that ensure that student accommodation contracts are based on 41 weeks – the academic year – and not the entire year.
Landlords who display “improper conduct” and refuse to follow the rules may face a €15,000 fine, costs of up to €15,000 for an investigation carried out by the RTB or a written caution.
Students were outraged recently when private accommodation providers insisted on having contracts that covered 12 months and not just the academic year, saddling young people with rent for the summer months, even though they may not live in the accommodation during that time.
The extra cost could amount to thousands of euro per year because of the additional 10 weeks of payments.
However, the Government is bringing in laws that will force landlords to reflect the duration of the academic year. The legal changes will be brought in “as soon as possible”, Mr O’Donovan is to tell cabinet colleagues.
Students will still be able to have 51-week contracts if they request them from the landlord.
Student housing landlords may need to be given notice before the legal changes come into play, it is understood.
The new laws are still subject to sign-off from the Attorney General.
New design standards will also be drafted for State-financed student accommodation, Mr O’Donovan will tell the Cabinet.
The final report on design standards will be finished by November.
The Government will also launch a new push for student digs ahead of the incoming academic year in September.
A second annual Rent a Room campaign will aim to increase student beds in areas with colleges and universities. Property owners with spare bedrooms can rent these out to students – and other tenants – for up to €14,000 tax-free.
The Government hopes this fresh drive will increase the supply and uptake of digs.
The campaign will be run through July and August.
The RTB has the powers to investigate landlords without a complaint having been made and impose sanctions, if deemed necessary.
This will include landlords who seek too much rent paid upfront.
There are laws already in place that say that landlords cannot ask for more than two months’ rent upfront.
