Garden Homes Plan for Rental Market Criticized as «Scraping the Barrel»

Government plans to allow homeowners to rent out modular «garden homes» on the private market are being criticized as «scraping the bottom of the barrel» in addressing the housing crisis. Robin Mandal, former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, warned these units could be exploitative for renters and increase planners' workload due to complaints.

Under the proposals, homeowners could build habitable units up to 45 sq metres in their back gardens without planning permission and rent them under the Rent-a-Room scheme for a tax-free maximum of €14,000 annually. These units are permitted only if 25 sq metres of garden space remains, the homeowner resides in the main dwelling, and a separate entrance is provided.

Mandal believes the government is driven by the idea that any accommodation helps, despite 17,517 people being in emergency housing. He fears this deregulation is open to abuse, creating unregulated rentals and a «two-tier society» where garden residents lack community. He also noted that while called «modular homes,» the rules don't prevent shoddy conversions of garden sheds, potentially leading to poor outcomes and increased complaints for planners, contrary to the government's hope of freeing up time for larger projects.