Raising awareness of rent crisis

I’m writing as President of UCD Students’ Union to thank the

Irish Independent for raising the profile of the crisis within the rental market.

Areas traditionally rented by UCD students have seen the sharpest rises in rates over the last five years. The level of demand is so high that students are being pushed out of the market. Meanwhile, on- campus accommodation remains limited and rates are being pushed up.

The situation is desperate. We’re not a demographic that can compete with young professionals or young families and there is a dearth of purpose-built accommodation for us. Longer lease agreements won’t be offered to students and so we don’t have a hope for rent certainty.

Politicians continue to ignore us in planning rent package agreements at their own peril; there is a student vote following May 22 and it is mobilised.

Marcus O’Halloran

UCDSU President