Mayo President of Galway Students' Union welcomes ‘rent hike’ reversal

University of Galway Students’ Union has today welcomed the news that Galway student accommodation provider, Hubble Living, has cancelled their planned accommodation fee increases for the 2024/25 academic year.

Students currently staying in their deluxe ensuite rooms on Headford Road in Galway were facing a minimum yearly increase of €2,500. In an email received by residents this week, Hubble Living said that following “feedback” they would not be proceeding with renovation works on rooms in the complex. The email linked to a room booking link with updated room rates.

The Students’ Union had been vocal in their opposition to the rent increase circulating petitions, raising the issue in the media and lobbying politicians. Belcarra native and Students’ Union President Dean Kenny said, "I'm delighted that common sense has prevailed and the overwhelming public pressure put on Hubble Living has resulted in them deciding not to go ahead with their scandalous price increase that they had intended.

Real questions must now be asked about how they were allowed to start this process, and the fact they would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for all the noise we made, alongside local representatives, TDs, Ministers, and of course the residents of Hubble who were instrumental in getting this overturned.

“Students won't take rent increases like this lying down, and they've shown this clearly with their actions to achieve this rent hike reversal," Kenny concluded.