USI protest at cost of rented accomodation

The Union of Students in Ireland has mounted a demonstration outside the Department of the Environment in Dublin to protest at the cost of rented accommodation.

The campaign is also aimed at helping students to beware of shoddy accommodation and “cowboy” landlords.

The USI is to give free rent books to all first-year students this year to protect them against these landlords.

Under law, all landlords are obliged to provide a rent book detailing the terms of a tenancy, the amount of rent to be paid and a statement advising tenants of their basic rights.