Dublin Accommodation Could Be Used for Co-Living

Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in Dublin could be temporarily converted into co-living spaces, according to the city council.

The council said such a move would be "appropriate" in light of universities moving much of their lectures online and therefore the number of students moving into Dublin possibly not as high as hoped. However, a temporary change of use will require planning permission.

The council said in a written answer to Cllr Darragh Moriarty that "in anticipation of a decrease in occupancy levels and having regards to the ongoing housing crisis, it is considered appropriate to consider a temporary change of use of this high quality accommodation to co-living, pending the return of the third level colleges/universities to more traditional teaching arrangements and student numbers."

"As the majority of student accommodation schemes have the advantage of being well located within central locations, close to significant employment locations and public transport systems, they are well located for co-living schemes in principle", the council added.

"While co-living schemes have characteristics similar to student accommodation, any change of use would require planning permission."