Student accommodation - Every cloud ...

Now that third-level college places have been offered to more than 40,000 students the scramble for accommodation approaches a climax. Competition is fierce and rents are daunting. Securing student accommodation represents a considerable burden for some families, especially those who have to fund more than one child at more than one location.

This presents difficulties for some but opportunities for others, especially older people living alone in houses with a spare room or two. The rent-a-room relief scheme allows homeowners earn up to €10,000 a year by renting a room or two to a student before the rental income becomes taxable.

This opportunity has been recognised by some colleges and student unions who have come together to put a scheme in place whereby students and prospective hosts are brought together. This has the potential to be a wonderful and mutually beneficial arrangement — a student gets a place to live and their host earns a modest income and, in some instances, breaks the loneliness which is such a burden for so many retired people who live alone.