The Union of Students In Ireland (USI) have called on the government to help and protect student renters as the academic year is set to start.
? Today, @TheUSI is calling on Minister @DarraghOBrienTD and Government to introduce SIX emergency provisions to ensure student renters are not hit by a repeat of March when colleges closed due to the #COVID19 pandemic and deposits and prepaid rent were not returned
WATCH ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hg2CZihDw8
— Union Of Students In Ireland (@TheUSI) August 25, 2020
The USI have outlined six provisions to Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien in order to protect students in the exceptional times caused by COVID-19.
-
- Waiver on rent for students who cannot access their accommodation when expected due to local lockdowns (such as the current case in Kildare) or in the case of changes to college start or finish dates
- Students to be enabled to end leases and other rental contracts early in the case of a second wave or lockdown
- Landlords not allowed to withhold deposits in the case of a second wave or lockdown
- No penalties for early termination of leases and other rental contracts for COVID related reasons
- No evictions of students during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Landlords obliged to return prepaid rents in the case of a second wave or lockdown
Advertisement
Vice President for Welfare in the USI Clare Austick believes that it is imperative that students don't go through the same challenges they faced when the pandemic first struck in March.
We cannot see the same thing happen again as it did back in March where landlords wrongfully withheld deposits and rents.
We want to ensure that students are protected going forward...
It's so important that this legislation is implemented and our students are protected, and that they have care and compassion at this very difficult time.
