RTB Has Ruled Trinity’s Overnight Guest’s Policy “Impermissible” Under The Law

The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) has ruled that Trinity College Dublin’s (TCD) overnight guest policy for students living on campus and in Trinity Hall is “unenforceable”. Previously, students were required to seek approval at least five days before having an overnight guest, with a cut-off time of 11pm. The policy has been criticised, with student leaders pointing out that the rules prevent students from having one-night-stands, and more broadly, is an infringement of their right to privacy and freedom in a rented property.

The RTB ruled that the overnight policy is an “unenforceable condition in the licence agreement”, and added that the policy is an “unreasonable restriction” and that “the test for reasonableness is no different because the respondent landlord is an education provider”. The RTB also raised the issue of privacy, adding that the need to “disclose the identity of an invitee who might stay overnight with a tenant at short notice is a breach of privacy”.

The case against Trinity College was brought to the RTB by the former president of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU), László Molnárfi and supported by the tenant advocacy group Threshold. Molnárfi has described the ruling as a “victory for student housing rights and a testament of grassroots power”.

The RTB’s decision follows the 2019 amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act, which extended its application to licences and licence agreements to student specific accommodation (SSA), and brought Higher Educational Institutions who provide student accommodation, as well as purpose-built student accommodation, under the remit of the RTB.

Speaking to The Journal, László Molnárfi said the policy had “stripped students of autonomy, dignity and privacy.” Molnárfi described the policy as “hypocritical, paternalistic and dangerous.”

Jenny Maguire, the current Student Union President, has also been campaigning hard for a change to the rule. “This [is] a win not just for us, but those in student accommodation across the country… and for lovers of one night stands everywhere.”

This ruling serves as a clear example of why tenants, students or not, should engage with the RTB to challenge unfair policies. It demonstrates that renters have enforceable rights, even when dealing with large institutions: legal mechanisms exist to protect their privacy and autonomy. The success of this case, driven by student advocacy and tenant support groups, highlights the power of collective action and the importance of standing up against unreasonable landord restrictions. For students and renters across the country, it sends a strong message: if your rights are being infringed upon by your landlord, you don’t have to accept it—take it to the RTB.

Elsewhere on District: Know Your Rights: What Do The New Laws On Student Accommodation Mean For You?