Rent your spare room and earn up to €14,000 a year tax-free
Students, nurses and people starting new jobs all over Ireland are looking for a room. If you have a spare one, Rent-a-Room Relief means the income can be tax-free, and posting it on StayLister costs nothing.
How Rent-a-Room Relief works
- You can earn up to €14,000 in 2026, and up to €16,000 a year from 1 January 2027, from renting a room in your own home without paying income tax, PRSI or USC on it.
- The room must be in the home you live in yourself, and the person must be living there, not a short-term guest. It doesn't apply to renting to your own child.
- The limit covers everything they pay you, including meals, laundry and bills. Go over it and the whole amount becomes taxable, so check before you agree a price.
- You still declare the income on your tax return, even when no tax is due. The person is usually a licensee, not a tenant, so there's no RTB registration.
Why post your room on StayLister
- It's free: no fees to post, no fees to reply, no commission.
- Every ad is checked before it goes live, and you see which renters confirmed their phone, email and ID.
- You choose who you meet. Messages come through the site, and your phone number is only shown if you want it to be.
- Monday–Friday digs, a room for the college year or a long-term lodger: you set the days, the price and the house rules.
Post your room in a few minutes
- Take a few clear photos of the room and the shared spaces.
- Post your ad: choose "Mon–Fri digs" or "Long-term", and say what's included (bills, meals, laundry).
- Our team checks it, usually within a day. Then reply to the people who message you and arrange viewings.
Choosing a lodger safely
- Meet in person before you agree anything, and show the room yourself. Have someone else at home if you can.
- Ask for a reference from a previous landlord or host, or an employer or college, and ring it.
- Look at their ticks (phone, email and ID) and keep messages on StayLister until you have met.
- Agree the rent, notice and house rules in writing. Take rent by bank transfer, and never refund an "overpayment": it is a common scam.
Common questions
How much can I earn tax-free from renting a room?
Up to €14,000 in 2026 and up to €16,000 a year from 1 January 2027, under Revenue's Rent-a-Room Relief, if you meet its conditions.
Do I need to register with the RTB?
Usually not. Someone renting a room in the home you live in is normally a licensee, not a tenant, so the tenancy rules and RTB registration don't apply.
Does it cost anything to advertise on StayLister?
No. Posting a room, replying to people and letting it are all free.
Can I take a student only Monday to Friday?
Yes. Choose "Mon–Fri digs" when you post, and say which nights the room is available.