Students remain sceptical ahead of the 2027 Budget with expected increases in the ‘rent a room scheme’ and SUSI payments.
There are reports that landlords will have the opportunity to gain an extra €2,000 in tax‑free income because the government is considering raising the Rent‑a‑Room tax‑free threshold from €14,000 to €20,000, specifically to boost student accommodation supply. While the previous allowance they received was €14,000, they are now set to receive up to €16,000.
In an interview with a first-year student Luke Griffith, he explained “I would say it’s probably going in the wrong direction, when digs are not exactly suitable accommodation when they could be investing in student accommodation”.
On the other hand, private landlords are welcoming this change in the budget. Margaret O’Carroll, a private homeowner from Dooradoyle, Limerick said “I think seeing an increase in the budget of at least €2,000 would maybe persuade me into renting a room to a student. I would definitely benefit from the extra income in my household.”
This may increase the availability of housing to students; however, the increased cost may not persuade them to accept this idea. The expected increase in rent may be too much for students even though there is an expected increase in student monthly payments through the SUSI maintenance scheme.
According to studentgrantcalculator.ie, some students will receive up to €357 extra per year, if they receive 100% of the SUSI maintenance grant. Andrea Donnolly, a second-year student in UL said, “I don’t believe there’s a chance that the maintenance grant increase will be enough, but there just comes a point where you give up hope, you know?”
SUSI payments were increased in the 2026 budget, with the maintenance grant at an all-time high of €881.77 per month. This new predicted increase of payment would be €920.66 monthly, beginning in January 2027.