The Union of Students in Ireland are urging homeowners to consider renting digs to third level students.

Homeowners are asked to give up their spare rooms to students in need by renting a room on www.homes.usi.ie and benefit from up to €12,000 in tax-free rent.

In order to encourage homes to take up the initiative, the USI is to give out flyers to 100,000 homes in close proximity to colleges outlining the benefits that offering digs could bring.

USI president Annie Hoey outlined the severity of the accomodation shortage that is currently facing students: “On the 1st August there were only 87 rental properties in Cork city – 1,000 less than there was the same day six years ago.

“The flyers will be a direct marketing means to inform the public on how bad the rental crisis is and how much money they can make from renting out spare bedrooms to students.

“Leasing out spare rooms is a very straight-forward process, especially for parents whose children have flown the nest, or who are attending college the other side of the country. The average cost of college per child is €11,000 annually and leasing out a room to a student will greatly help with this cost, as you can make up to €12,000 annually tax-free.”