Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This issue arose previously, and there is one element that is relevant to the rent-a-room aspect. It was mentioned by Senator Seery Kearney as well. It is not for a landlord to decide if it is a rent-a-room situation or a real tenancy. The RTB can adjudicate on that point. Regarding this amendment, I cannot accept it. The Residential Tenancies Acts do not apply to licensing arrangements, save in the student-specific sector. I worked to have that aspect included when I was in opposition and on the housing committee with the Senator's colleague, and others, during the lifetime of the previous Oireachtas. They are not included currently, however. Rent-a-room lodgings in a private dwelling are not covered by the Acts or this Bill, and tenancies and dwellings where the landlord lives are not covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. This Bill proposes to modify temporarily the operation of certain provisions of the said Act regarding tenancy terminations in the context of a global pandemic. I do not, therefore, propose to accept this amendment.