Proposals of rent-free accommodation in exchange for sex among stark realities facing international students in Ireland, according to new housing report

One-in-20 international students in Ireland are being exposed to proposals of rent-free accommodation in exchange for sex, while one-in-seven are being offered accommodation where they are expected to share a room – and sleep in the same bed – with a stranger. These are among the stark realities faced by international students renting in Ireland highlighted in a new report into housing in Ireland published today (19.02.25) by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS). 

Unaffordable rents, sub-standard housing, overcrowding and scams are further findings detailed in the new ‘Renting in Ireland: The Housing Crisis from the Perspective of International Students’ report, which is being launched by the Irish Council for International Students at a briefing event for elected representatives at Leinster House today. 

Announcing the new report, Laura Harmon, executive director of ICOS said: “Our new research exposes the alarming realities that international students in Ireland are struggling with to find safe, affordable and minimum-standard accommodation. The extent of financial strain and overcrowding is deeply concerning. 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.”

Commenting on the findings, Ana Valdez, an English language student from Mexico living and studying in Dublin, said: “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 people, resulting in overcrowding, poor mental health, sky-high costs, abuse by landlords and even sexual harassment.”

Other key findings in the report

According to further stark findings contained in the report:

• 61 per cent of respondents who said they were working reported that half of their monthly salary goes towards paying their rent; one-in-five respondents who worked said that they spend 70 per cent of their income on paying rent.
• More than one-in-10 (11 per cent) of respondents said that they had been a victim of an accommodation scam while in Ireland, with only 14 per cent of respondents who said they were a victim of an accommodation scam reporting the incident.
• More than half (54 per cent) of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their mental health has been impacted due to the housing crisis in Ireland.
• 41 per cent of respondents said that their education has suffered due to the housing crisis in Ireland.
• 56 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that 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.
• Many international students reported living in accommodation that does not meet basic requirements ─ 12 per cent of respondents did not have access to a cooker; one-in-10 said their accommodation did not have heating; 38 per cent do not have a lease agreement for their accommodation.

Less than a quarter of respondents said they were aware of their rights as renters.

Representatives from the housing and tenant advocacy organisation Threshold and the National Women’s Council are also addressing today’s briefing event for elected representatives at Leinster House.

Speaking about the ICOS report, CEO of Threshold John-Mark McCafferty said: “We in Threshold are struck by over 60 per cent of respondents reporting that half their salary is used to pay rent, leaving less for household essentials never mind any luxuries or any prospect for saving for the future. With over half of respondents agreeing that their mental health has been impacted as a result of the housing crisis, the survey reminds us of the urgent need for more affordable rental housing options and greater tenancy protections – not less. Threshold’s work to advise tenants of their rights is needed more now than ever.”

Also commenting, Ivana Youtchak of the National Women’s Council said: “ICOS’ new housing report puts a spotlight on the impact of the housing crisis on international students. In particular, we welcome the focus on sex-for-rent exploitation which particularly affects women who are international students. Sex-for-rent exploitation is damaging, degrading, and dehumanising for women. In its extreme form, it forces women to make a choice between homelessness and sexual exploitation. It primarily affects women who are renting a room in a house, as opposed to own-door accommodation, so they enter a situation of living with their predator. These renters do not have the protections granted to other tenants.”

The full report can be viewed on the Irish Council for International Students website here.

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