Digs and Rent-a-Room: renting out a room in your home

How renting a room in your own home works, the tax relief, and what rights a lodger has. What counts as digs or rent-a-room If you rent a room in the home you live in, the person is usually a licensee (a lodger), not a tenant. Monday-to-Friday digs for students and workers are a common example. Licensees are not covered by the Residential Tenancies Acts, so you do not register with the RTB. Agree the house rules, notice period and payments in writing anyway. Rent-a-Room Relief Under Revenue's Rent-a-Room Relief, you can earn up to €14,000 a year from renting rooms in your main home without paying income tax on it, if you meet the conditions. You still need to declare the income on your tax return. The relief does not apply if the person renting is your child or civil partner's child, or for short-term guests through online booking platforms. Check Revenue's current rules before you rely on it. Advertising your room on StayLister Choose "Mon–Fri digs" or "Long-term" when you post, add clear photos of the actual room, and say what's included (bills, meals, laundry). Posting is free and every ad is checked before it goes live.

• Revenue – Rent-a-Room Relief
• Citizens Information – lodgers and licensees