A NEW survey of international students renting in Ireland has found an alarming incidence of accommodation advertised in exchange for sex.
One in 20 renters have been offered rent-free rooming for sexual favours, experts reveal.
And a shocking report laid bare the realities of people trying to source affordable rooms during the housing crisis.
Renting in Ireland: The Housing Crisis from the Perspective of International Students was published by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).
Harrowing stories emerged of renters targeted by predatory landlords and that sex-for-rent exploitation is an increasing problem in this country.
Here, Senator Laura Harmon, director of ICOS, explains why more must be done to tackle the problem.
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INTERNATIONAL students in Ireland are being exposed to proposals of rent-free accommodation in exchange for sex.
One in 20 renters have been offered a free place to stay in return for sex, and one in seven offered accommodation where they are expected to share a room and the same bed with a stranger.
These are the stark realities faced by students renting in Ireland highlighted in the new report into housing published this week by the Irish Council for International Students.
Unaffordable rents, sub-standard housing, overcrowding and scams are all issues encountered by students in this country in the private rental sector.
This is a symptom of the wider housing crisis and these findings are a new low when it comes to housing in Ireland.
Our new research exposes the alarming realities that international students in Ireland are struggling with — finding safe, affordable and, at the very least, minimum-standard accommodation.
The extent of financial strain and overcrowding is deeply concerning.
ZERO TOLERANCE
Urgent action is needed to address these issues, in particular sex-for-rent exploitation, to ensure that Ireland remains a welcoming and supportive destination for international students.
The Programme for Government has a commitment to introduce a clear legislative ban on sex for rent.
And the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, has promised to consult with the Attorney General on this.
However, we heard the same from the former Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, and NO action was taken.
It’s urgent that Ireland sends a clear message that this predatory behaviour will not be tolerated and that the full force of the law will come down on anyone who tries to take advantage of vulnerable people in this way.
There is a risk to Ireland’s reputation as a study destination. Students come to Ireland to benefit from our high quality education, for our culture, our nature and because of the incredible student experience that our colleges provide.
Ana Valdez, an English language student from Mexico living and studying in Dublin, told us: “Decent housing is supposed to be a human right, and although Ireland is a beautiful country with great opportunities, the housing crisis has turned the country into a really bad and impossible experience for many.
“All of this has resulted in overcrowding, poor mental health, sky-high costs, abuse by landlords and even sexual harassment.”
More than one in ten (11 per cent) of respondents said that they had been a victim of an accommodation scam, with only 14 per cent of this group reporting the incident.
Less than a quarter of respondents to this survey said they were aware of their rights as renters.
It’s important that students understand they can report scams to the Gardai, while the Threshold helpline provides info on rights for renters.
Many international students reported living in accommodation that did not meet basic requirements: ─ 12 per cent of respondents didn’t have access to a cooker; one in ten said their accommodation did not have heating and 38 per cent did not have a contract agreement for their accommodation.
UGLY STATISTICS
If you wish to have a car on the road, it needs to have an NCT and the same should be the case if you are renting a room out.
Fifty-six per cent of respondents agreed their student experience has suffered due to the housing crisis in Ireland.
Three in four English language students and a third of students studying in higher education share a room with at least one other person.
Sixty-one per cent of respondents who said they were working reported that half of their monthly salary goes towards paying their rent, and one in five respondents who worked said that they spend 70 per cent of their income on paying rent.
More than half of those who replied agreed or strongly agreed their mental health had been impacted due to the housing crisis in Ireland.
Forty-one per cent of respondents said that their education has suffered due to the housing crisis in Ireland.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, has committed to publishing a new student housing strategy in the second quarter of this year.
We urgently need this in place — and with clear targets.
- For help with housing issues call Threshold on 1800 454 454