- Charity prevents almost 900 households from entering homelessness in Q3 2025
- Tenancy termination remains one of the top issues for Threshold’s clients
- Threshold highlights issues faced by ‘licensees’ and lodgers
According to national housing charity Threshold’s latest Impact Report, of the new households that contacted Threshold from July to September, 2,160 were at risk of homelessness – up 22.8% from the same period last year. As in previous quarters, most of these renters were at risk of homelessness because their landlord wished to sell their home.
Between July and September this year, 9,652 households were supported by Threshold’s frontline advisers on issues regarding their tenancy, representing 12,408 adults and 7,640 children. Threshold advisers intervened to keep 872 households, comprising 1,150 adults and 809 children, in their homes or supported them to secure alternative housing,
Tenancy termination continued to be the top issues for Threshold’s clients in Q3 this year, accounting for over 1 in 3 queries (37%) raised. Advice on a lease, accessing social housing, standards and repairs were also key concerns raised by renters who contacted Threshold.
Commenting on the report, Threshold CEO John-Mark McCafferty said:
“Threshold is always here to provide bespoke advice and advocacy to renters, and our Q3 Impact Report highlights the need for continued work to protect renters across Ireland. Threshold has seen the number of clients at risk of homelessness jump by over 20% year-on-year. Tenancy terminations continue to be the main factor in placing these renters at risk of homelessness. Threshold is here to provide help to any renter that needs it, whether in a formal tenancy ora more informal arrangement. We encourage any renters facing difficulties to get in touch.”
Licensees outside of the system
Threshold’s Q3 Impact Report highlights the urgent need for basic protections for licensees, a significant yet overlooked group of renters in Ireland.
As outlined in Threshold’s recent publication Renting at The Frontier: Protecting the Rights of Licensees in Ireland, authored by Dr Valesca Lima and funded by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), licensees differ from private renters as they are generally not protected by the Residential Tenancies Acts. This leaves them with no formal legal recognition, no access to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), and no guaranteed rights. Examples of licensees can include people renting from head tenants in sublets, those whose housing is provided by an employer, people living in retirement homes or mobile homes and ‘lodgers’ living in digs. Licensees are left vulnerable to sudden evictions, poor standards of upkeep of accommodation and a lack of recourse when issues arise.
To support licensees, Threshold is calling for urgent policy change, legal protections and increased public awareness on these informal engagements. The charity has set out 13 practical policy recommendations, including the introduction of minimum notice periods, a central licence registry and tailored Rent-a-Room standards.
Threshold’s National Advocacy Manager, Ann-Marie O’Reilly, said:
“The challenges faced by licensees are not new to Threshold. We have however seen a growing array of license style arrangements in the rental sector in recent years which is a cause for concern. These renters must rely on trust with their licensor – the person they rent from – rather than rights enshrined in legislation. This highlights the need for urgent policy and legislative reform to provide protections for licensees across the country.
“We need to ensure that basic protections are in place for all renters, including licensees. If there is anyone who is unsure of their rental situation, please get in touch with Threshold for advice.”
Case study 1: Emily’s Story*
Emily, an international student from the UK, faced significant challenges finding accommodation in Dublin amidst the ongoing housing crisis. Despite warnings from friends and academic advisers, she initially underestimated the severity of the situation.
As she began her search online, Emily quickly encountered scams and fierce competition and was applying for up to 50 properties daily. A letting agent informed her that each advertised property attracted about 600 applicants.
With only two weeks before her classes began, Emily arrived in Dublin without accommodation and began exploring Rent-a-Room options, only to find many homeowners imposed strict rules such as curfews and limited kitchen access.
Emily finally secured a room after multiple viewings and paid €1,100 per month for a spare room with house owners under the Rent-a-Room scheme. Her living situation was a mix of kindness and tension; while her licensors occasionally invited her to spend time with them and even bought her a Christmas gift, inconsistent communication frequently led to misunderstandings. For example, one licensor permitted her to have friends over, while the other reprimanded her for “disrespecting their home” by having people visit her at home. Additionally, Emily faced boundary issues, such as having her food eaten and being unexpectedly tasked with caring for her licensors’ dog. She was also given restrictions on her ability to work from home, and felt unable to voice her concerns due to the precarious nature of her arrangement.
While Emily acknowledged that her experience wasn’t the worst, the lack of security and clear boundaries weighed heavily on her and left her feeling uncomfortable in her living arrangements. Reflecting on her time in this arrangement, which lasted nine months, she concluded that while Rent-a-Room options can play a role in the housing market, no one should have to live under such uncertain conditions.
*name changed
Case study 2: Orla’s Story
Orla was thrilled to come to Ireland for her study abroad year, having spent every summer visiting her father’s family in Dublin. She quickly encountered difficulties finding suitable accommodation as a student. Unable to secure on-campus housing and facing a limited supply of rooms in the city, she turned to rental websites and social media, only to find listings that were either unaffordable or came with restrictive conditions, such as curfews and bans on guests. Additionally, many advertisements she encountered were scams, adding to her frustration.
Just as Orla was losing hope, a friend of her father’s suggested a contact with a spare room. After meeting the landlord, Orla was offered the room for €400 a month – a welcome relief compared to the extreme prices she had seen elsewhere. She felt immensely grateful, especially when talking with other students about their experiences.
The family she moved in with were known for fostering and adopting children and warmly welcomed her. Orla had full access to the house, was allowed to have guests, and even offered a spare room for her cousin during visits. When she fell ill, they took her to the doctor, creating a supportive environment. Orla felt grateful that she had found a place that felt like home, while many of her peers stayed out late to avoid going back to uncomfortable or isolating living conditions.
Reflecting on her experience, Orla believes her living arrangement significantly contributed to the success of her year abroad. It provided her with stability, comfort, and a sense of belonging in a new city, and she continues to stay in touch with her former licensors.
Threshold’s service is available by phone, Monday to Friday, 9am-9pm at 1800 454 454, or online at www.threshold.ie/get-help to any private renter in need of advice or support.
