Legislation passed to prevent 51-week student leases

Local TD says the move will alleviate financial pressures for families

Emergency legislation has been introduced to prevent student accommodation providers from enforcing 51-week leases.

The development has been welcomed by Cavan Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD, Deputy Niamh Smyth which she says “will stop providers from forcing students to pay for housing during the summer period”.

“This legislation bans accommodation providers from only providing 51-week leases to students,” she continued before adding that the legislation was expedited by Minister Darragh O'Brien because of the increase in the practice.

"I want to thank the efforts made by my party colleague, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien, for expediting this legislation so that it has come into effect in time for the new academic year starting this September.

"This ban on students being forced to pay for 51-week leases for student accommodation is necessary because providers have increasingly been forcing students to pay for housing during the summer. This creates unnecessary hardship and additional costs for students and their families."