A Clare auctioneer claims the Government’s proposed extension of the rent-a-room scheme to modular buildings is the first piece of legislation that may help with the rental crisis.
The so-called “beds in sheds” plan has faced criticism from opposition, with one party claiming it will lead to “a proliferation of low-quality modular units in back gardens” at “rip-off rents”.
The controversial proposal would see households permitted to build small cabins of up to 45 square metres in size at the rear of their properties.
Once built in compliance with regulations, the owner would be eligible to claim up to €14,000 in rent tax free.
If the exempted development regulations are approved by the Oireachtas Housing Committee, the legislation could be in effect as early as this summer.
Diarmuid McMahon of Sherry Fitzgerald McMahon in Ennis says the effectiveness of the measure will be dependent on the strength of the regulations put in place.
The proposal has been lambasted by the opposition, with Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin saying it will “inevitably lead to a proliferation of low-quality modular units in back gardens, with tenants being charged extortionate rip-off rents”.
He’s argued it’ll be “used by rogue landlords to rack and stack poor-quality cabins in back gardens, and charge thousands of euros to hard pressed renters”.
Labour Housing Spokesperson Conor Sheehan claims it could leave tenants vulnerable as rent-a-room agreements don’t always carry the same protections as formal tenancies, while Threshold says there are “serious risks” involved in living in dwellings of this size and quality.
Managing Director of DNG O’Sullivan Hurley in Ennis, Douglas Hurley however believes the legislation has the potential to address the housing needs of previously forgotten-about cohorts.
