Rent a room to a student

Many colleges and universities or students’ unions have online accommodation databases where you can:

• search for and check out accommodation
• advertise room rentals
• find advice, including sample rental agreements

Student Pad and Accommodation Pad are tailor-made accommodation management platforms that many Irish institutions use.

Click on the link to your local HEI for more information on how to add your room to their listings:

• UCD
• DCU
• Maynooth University
• University of Galway
• UCC
• TU Dublin
• South East TU
• University of Limerick
• Atlantic TU Galway-Mayo
• Atlantic TU Sligo
• Atlantic TU Donegal - Email: supresident.donegal@atu.ie suwelfare.donegal@atu.ie
• TU of the Shannon
• Institute of Art, Design and Technology Students’ Union
• Munster TU Cork - Email: accommodationcork@mtu.ie
• Munster TU Kerry - Email: AccommodationKerry@mtu.ie
• Dundalk IT
• Mary Immaculate College - Email: Accommodation@mic.ul.ie
• Trinity College Dublin

If you own a home, you can rent out a room (or rooms) and:

• still get social welfare benefits
• earn up to €14,000 in rent before you pay taxes

You can find out more about Rent a Room relief on the Revenue website.

Local authority tenants are eligible to rent a room(s) in their home to a third level student.

If you are a local authority tenant and would like to rent your room to a third level student, please contact your local authority for further details regarding application process.

All colleges and universities are supporting their students to find accommodation by encouraging student digs. This is done either by their accommodation offices or their students' unions. Also, many colleges and universities are encouraging residents near their campuses to rent rooms through advertising campaigns.

The department has developed a voluntary regulatory framework and sample licence agreement to assist both homeowners/primary tenants and students who wish to avail of the scheme. This will highlight the key issues to consider when renting a room to a student and similarly what students could expect when accepting an offer of accommodation.

Rent a Room - Voluntary Regulatory Framework

Read Threshold's advice on avoiding rental scams.

On 29 November 2022, the government approved a new policy to help create more accommodation for students in public higher education institutions.