License agreement vs tenancy concerns

hnum0 · 18-12-2022 12:56pm #1

I'm looking to rent a room somewhat centrally in Dublin, and have gone on a few viewings now. A few weeks ago I received a first offer (somewhat expensive, over $1000 for the room + ensuite, but I understand for centrally-located rooms this is fairly common now unfortunately). Anyway, what concerned me was that it wasn't a tenancy agreement but a licensee agreement. The owner wanted a reply within only a day, and I found online a lot of concerns about how little protections there are in these agreements. I declined the offer due to the short timeframe allowed to review it and research, but now I wanted to ask here: Are licensee agreements very common, to the extent that I might just have to accept one due to the lack of available rooms for rent? What red flags should I look out for in the actual text of the agreement, and how can I best "protect" myself, if it all? Many thanks for any possible tips.

herbalplants · 18-12-2022 1:10pm

For start, the price must have been 1000 euros not $. Secondly, I think she gave you one day to accept it because she probably has a queue of people wanting that room. 1000 euro for a city centre room with ensuite is quite common price for many years.

Licensee agreement means that the owner has the right to give you a short notice to leave the house.

Licesee agreement is something that we will see more often from now on while the normal small landlords are leaving the market.

Good luck to you trying to find a normal tenancy unless it is through a corporation and you will pay 2000 eur for one bed apartment.

DFB-D · 18-12-2022 1:14pm

Licence agreements mean you will (in most arrangements) be living with the owner.

There no rights for security of tenure, but then, if you are behaving in a reasonable manner, this should not matter, unless the owner suddenly decides to stop renting rooms.

No obligations either, but you would be advised to keep the place as clean as possible and generally be pleasant to live with. You are sharing someone's home, so a higher standard of respect and cleaning is probably required than in most tenancy situations.

I used to rent out rooms (years ago, but not much has changed) and generally I respected my tenants, but some people probably should just live alone if they want to not clean/respect other people in the house etc. As a landlord with tenants now, I think I wouldn't like to live with some of them...

hnum0 · 18-12-2022 1:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120009827#Comment_120009827

yes sorry, meant euros of course. I guess moving forward I will expect licensee agreements and just look more into detail of specific clauses to make sure nothing completely unreasonable. Thanks!

herbalplants · 18-12-2022 1:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120009846#Comment_120009846

Yes true probably look more in detail of specific clauses and ask the owner if they envisage renting the room long term. Once tenant behaves normal, you shouldn't have any issues at all.

Caranica · 18-12-2022 1:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120009846#Comment_120009846

As a licensee you have very few rights. Don't expect too much. Mind you I've never asked a licensee to leave so long term can work out.

Iscreamkone · 02-01-2024 11:04pm

Does the landlord have to live at the property?

Could a landlord let some or all bedrooms individually under separate licenses?

dennyk · 03-01-2024 10:09am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121564018#Comment_121564018

Generally, no, if this is a private landlord renting rooms in a single family dwelling. The landlord is free to rent by the room, but the RTB will usually consider those rentals tenancies if the landlord doesn't actually live in the property. There are situations where a license agreement can exist even without the owner being in residence, but those would generally be limited to specialised commercially-owned lettings like student housing, hotels, etc.

License agreement vs tenancy concerns

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