Living in digs: what to ask before you move in
What Monday-to-Friday digs are, what's usually included, and the questions to ask so there are no surprises.
What digs are
Digs means renting a room in someone's home, often from Monday to Friday, going home at weekends. It is popular with students and with people working away from home, and is often cheaper than a house share because the owner lives there.
As a lodger you are usually a licensee rather than a tenant: the Residential Tenancies Acts and RTB registration don't apply, so what you agree with the owner matters most.
Questions to ask
Which days can I stay, and can I stay the odd weekend?
What's included: bills, wifi, meals, laundry, bedding?
Can I use the kitchen, and when? Is there space in the fridge?
Can I have visitors? Are there quiet hours?
How much notice do we each give, and how is the deposit returned?
Who else lives in the house?
Put it in writing
A short written agreement (even a message you both keep) with the days, price, what's included, notice and deposit avoids most disagreements later.
For homeowners
Renting a room in your own home can be tax-free up to €14,000 a year (€16,000 from 1 January 2027) under Revenue's Rent-a-Room Relief. See our guide to the relief for the conditions.
Common questions
What are digs?
Digs means renting a room in someone's home, often from Monday to Friday, going home at weekends. It is popular with students and with people working away from home.
Do people in digs have tenancy rights?
As a lodger you are usually a licensee rather than a tenant, so the Residential Tenancies Acts and RTB registration don't apply. What you agree with the owner matters most.
What should I ask before moving into digs?
Which days you can stay, what's included (bills, wifi, meals, laundry, bedding), kitchen use, visitors and quiet hours, notice, and how the deposit is returned.