Cabinet to approve plans to ban 51-week student leases

The Cabinet is set to approve plans to fast track laws which will put a ban on students being forced to pay for 51-week leases by student specific accommodation.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O’Donovan and Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien will propose legislation that will prevent students and their families paying for accommodation for 51 weeks.

This is not suitable for the majority of students who can only cover the cost of the academic year.

The ministers will seek approval to introduce the emergency legislation to ensure it is in place for the upcoming academic year.

Students can still request to rent the accommodation for a longer period of time.

However, it will not be obligatory.