The Government’s ‘beds in sheds’ plan going before Cabinet today is a recipe for exploitation and substandard accommodation, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne.
Deputy Hearne said:
“Hiding a generation in back gardens is not a solution to our housing crisis. There are so many flaws in this half-baked plan that it’s difficult to know where to start.
“This was initially put forward as an initiative to allow parents provide modular housing units on their properties for family members to live in. However, it has now morphed into something completely different – a carte blanche for unscrupulous landlords to build back garden Airbnbs or substandard rental pods.
“There has been a lot of vague talk about safeguards and regulation as part of the Government’s plan to allow planning exemptions for modular homes in gardens. But this only raises further questions.
“Who will be responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations? Who will enforce building and health and safety standards? And if this responsibility ends up falling on local authorities, will they be sufficiently funded and resourced by the Government to allow for the increased workload?
“Another major flaw with this proposal is that anyone renting a back garden modular unit will be subject to a licence arrangement as opposed to a tenancy agreement. This will put them outside the scope of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and deny them the normal protections afforded to renters – it is a recipe for exploitation.
“The Social Democrats support modular housing and modern methods of construction, but only when it’s done right, planned appropriately for communities and neighbourhoods, and has a positive impact on housing supply.
“The Government has a responsibility to ensure accommodation is of a certain standard, affordability and quality – and that there are sufficient safeguards in place for tenants. Yet none of these assurances are built into its ‘beds in sheds’ policy.”
April 21, 2026