Student Specific Accommodation (SSA) is housing built or designated for students and used for the sole purpose of providing residential accommodation to students during the academic term. The Residential Tenancies Act (Amendment) 2019 brought SSA under the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board on 15 July 2019.
This legislation means that Higher Educational Institutions, such as universities or colleges, who provide SSA to students during the academic year are within the RTB’s remit. The legislation also clarifies that SSA provided by the private sector is clearly within the jurisdiction of the RTB, regardless of whether there is a lease or license agreement in place. This means that all tenancies / licences, which fall under the RTB's remit, which were entered into on or after 15 August 2019 must be registered with the RTB.
However, it is important to be aware that Rent a Room and DIGS style accommodation do not come under the RTB’s remit.
All students, tenants and licensees in SSA have access to the RTB Disputes Resolution Services and only landlords whose tenancies are registered with the RTB also have access. This service can be used for issues such as rent reviews and rent setting, deposits, breaches of obligation including anti-social behaviour and issues relating to maintenance. Student tenants can use the RTB Dispute Resolution Service even if their landlord has not registered their tenancy. Further information on the Dispute Resolution Service, can be accessed here.
If you are a provider of Student Specific Accommodation, please click here for more information.