“Once Again, International Students Are the Most Vulnerable Victims of Ireland’s Housing Crisis, Says USI”
Date: 19/02/2025
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) strongly condemns the alarming exploitation of international students in Ireland’s rental market, as revealed in a recent report by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS). The report highlights a disturbing trend of landlords offering accommodation in exchange for sex, as well as widespread issues such as rental scams, severe overcrowding, lack of rental rights awareness, and extreme financial burdens.
USI VP for Welfare Niamh Doherty stated:
“The exploitation of international students, particularly the abhorrent ‘sex for rent’ practice, is completely unacceptable. These students come to Ireland expecting a safe and supportive environment, but instead, they face predatory behaviour, financial hardship, and substandard housing conditions. The government and universities must take immediate action to combat this crisis.”
Why Are International Students Vulnerable to Exploitation?
International students are disproportionately affected by the housing crisis due to several factors:
- Lack of rental rights awareness: Less than a quarter of international students are aware of their rights as tenants.
- Limited financial resources: Many non-EEA students can only work 20 hours per week, making it difficult to afford the skyrocketing cost of rent.
- Urgency to secure housing: Due to the housing shortage, students are often forced to accept substandard or exploitative arrangements.
- Informal rental agreements: More than half of students find accommodation through social media or informal networks, increasing their vulnerability to scams and abuse.
How Does This Exploitation Happen?
The report found that 5% of female respondents had either received a ‘sex for rent’ offer or seen a related advertisement. Niamh Doherty further emphasized:
“Predators are taking advantage of students’ desperation for housing. They use social media and online rental platforms to target vulnerable individuals, coercing them into exploitative arrangements. Additionally, students are being crammed into overcrowded, poorly maintained accommodations—some even forced to share beds with strangers. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
What Needs to Be Done?
Government Action:
- Immediate criminalization of ‘sex for rent’ practices to ensure landlords who exploit vulnerable tenants face strict legal consequences.
- Stronger enforcement of rental laws to protect students from substandard living conditions and illegal lettings.
- Increased investment in student accommodation, including more purpose-built housing to reduce reliance on the private rental market.
- Expansion of working rights for non-EEA students, increasing their permitted working hours from 20 to 30 per week to help them afford decent housing.
University Responsibility:
- Create dedicated student accommodation offices to provide verified housing listings and guidance on rental rights.
- Offer emergency housing options for students who become victims of scams or exploitation.
- Implement awareness campaigns in multiple languages to inform international students about their rights and safe housing practices.
What Should International Students Do If They Face Exploitation?
- Report incidents immediately to An Garda Síochána and organizations like Threshold and ICOS.
- Seek legal and welfare support from student unions and university accommodation offices.
- Avoid informal rental agreements and always insist on a written lease.
Conclusion
The Irish housing crisis is reaching a critical point, with international students among the most affected. USI stands firmly with ICOS in demanding immediate legislative changes and greater institutional support to protect students from predatory landlords and exploitative rental practices. As Niamh Doherty stressed:
“We cannot allow international students to be treated as second-class residents. They contribute to Ireland’s academic and cultural life, and they deserve safety, dignity, and respect. The government must act now.”
For media inquiries or further comment, please contact:
Union of Students in Ireland
Email: pr@usi.ie
Phone: +353 086 033 3942
For more information, please visit usi.ie.
ENDS