Dublin City University students protested recently against rent increases announced by two private student accommodation providers where some of them live.

DCU Student Union said rents were substantially increased by about 27 percent to €9,000 for a nine-month lease for a bedroom in shared accommodation. Currently students are charged up to €6,990 for this accommodation.

Students are also gathering signatures for a petition which they plan to submit with an open letter to the owners of the properties in question, which are tax-exempt. At press time, more than 14,000 signatures have been garnered.

The student union strongly argues that the rent increase would have serious implications for “every student in Dublin and beyond. Basic economics says this price increase will filter through the entire student accommodation market.” It added grimly that the situation would push some students into abandoning their studies. Foreign students will also be badly affected if the increases go ahead.

Metro Éireann urges our readers to back the DCU students in their fight for “the absolute reversal of these proposed increases”. We cannot fold our arms and allow private enterprises to take away young people’s futures for the sake of their own profit.

We also call on the Government to extend its rent control measures across the country, student accommodations included.

news@metroeireann.com

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